Effects of meteorological conditions on mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Previous studies have confirmed the effect of different meteorological parameters on patients suffering from lung diseases. The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of meteorological phases on the death rate from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. The data on the number of deaths caused by COPD and meteorological phases during a five-year period (2011–2015) in Šumadija District (Central Serbia) were obtained from the Republic Hydrometeorological Service and the Center for Biostatistics and Informatics of the Kragujevac Institute of Public Health. Results. A statistically significant correlation was determined between certain meteorological phases and COPD death rate. The highest death rate was determined during colder months, February and March. The lowest death rate was detected during the warm months (June–September). Although men died more often from COPD than women, the death rate of women showed a considerable increase during the five-year period. Conclusion. COPD death rate is highly dependent on the season of the year and might be associated with certain meteorological phases. There is a need for further research of the impact of meteorological phases on the morbidity and mortality from COPD.

Keywords

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• meteorology
• humidity
• temperature