This study explored the effects of PM2.5 on hospital admissions (HAs) for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in southwestern Taiwan. Data on HAs for AECOPD, pollutants, and meteorological variables were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database and Environmental Protection Administration. The relative risks (RRs) of HAs for AECOPD was estimated using the Quasi-Poisson generalized additive model. A total of 38,715 HAs for AECOPD were recorded. The average daily HAs for AECOPD and mean 24-h average level of PM2.5 were 15.2 and 38.8 µg/m3, respectively. For both single and multiple pollutant (adjusted for O3 and NO2) models, increased AECOPD admissions were significantly associated with PM2.5 during cold season, with the RRs for every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 being 1.02 (95% CI = 1.007-1.040) at lag 0-1 in single-pollutant, and 1.02 (95 % CI = 1.001-1.042) at lag 0 day in multiple pollutant model. People 65 years of age and older had higher risk of HAs for AECOPD after PM2.5 exposure. The RRs of PM2.5 on HAs for AECOPD were robust after adjusting for O3 and NO2. Findings reveal an association between PM2.5 and HAs for AECOPD in southwestern Taiwan, particularly during cold season.
Keywords: Fine particulate matter; acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; hospital admissions; population-based study; season.