Air pollution and meteorological conditions significantly affect asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, with seasonal variability in hospital admissions. A study at the Warmia and Mazury Centre for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Poland, found that higher levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in winter correlated with more exacerbations, while extreme temperatures in summer led to more hospital admissions for both asthma and COPD. The study underscores the need for further research into the relationship between air pollution, weather conditions, and pulmonary diseases to develop better preventive and therapeutic strategies.
The 2025 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Report highlights climate change’s impact on COPD exacerbations, noting that extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, are linked to increased hospitalizations and exacerbations. The report emphasizes the combined risks of air pollution and heat on patient health and mortality. It also addresses the often-overlooked cardiovascular risks in COPD management, with exacerbations potentially increasing cardiovascular risks due to lung vessel compression, inflammation, or hypoxemia.
Reference: Johnson V. Air Pollution, Climate Change Exacerbate COPD, Asthma. HCPLive. Published January 21, 2025. Accessed March 18, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/air-pollution-climate-change-exacerbate-copd-asthma
Link: https://www.hcplive.com/view/air-pollution-climate-change-exacerbate-copd-asthma
