Wildfire smoke (WFS) increases the risk of respiratory hospitalizations. We evaluated the association between WFS and asthma healthcare utilization (AHCU) during the 2013 wildfire season in Oregon. WFS particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) was estimated using a blended model of in situ monitoring, chemical transport models, and satellite-based data. Asthma claims and place of service were identified from Oregon All Payer All Claims data from 1 May 2013 to 30 September 2013. The association with WFS PM2.5 was evaluated using time-stratified case-crossover designs. The maximum WFS PM2.5 concentration during the study period was 172 µg/m3. A 10 µg/m3 increase in WFS increased risk in asthma diagnosis at emergency departments (odds ratio [OR]: 1.089, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.043-1.136), office visit (OR: 1.050, 95% CI: 1.038-1.063), and outpatient visits (OR: 1.065, 95% CI: 1.029-1.103); an association was observed with asthma rescue inhaler medication fills (OR: 1.077, 95% CI: 1.065-1.088). WFS increased the risk for asthma morbidity during the 2013 wildfire season in Oregon. Communities impacted by WFS could see increases in AHCU for tertiary, secondary, and primary care.
Keywords: Epidemiology; Exposure modeling; Population-based studies.