The influence of weather and climate on patients with respiratory diseases in Vladivostok as a global health implication

J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2019 Dec 12;17(2):907-916. doi: 10.1007/s40201-019-00407-5. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the formation of meteopathic reactions in patients with respiratory diseases under the influence of extreme weather changes in Vladivostok.

Methods: The short-term meteopathic reaction in patients with respiratory diseases to the impact of "Weather Complex", consisting of nine weather parameters, on the day of patient's examination and on 1 and 2 days before the examination, was assessed. 146 acclimatized residents of Vladivostok (29 patients with chronic bronchitis, 51 patients with controlled asthma, 39 patients with uncontrolled asthma and 27 healthy volunteers) were examined. Pulmonary function (PF) was studied by spirography and by body plethysmography.

Results: The adaptive-compensatory response of PF in patients with respiratory diseases to weather decreases depending on the disease severity, resulting in the development of meteodependence. The impact of "Weather Complex" on a human body is primarily reflected in PF, and the reaction of metabolic parameters is manifested with a 1-2 days time lag. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, key factors in maintaining oxidative cell balance, play the most important role in the formation of a compensatory response to weather. In the light of the global health implication, recommendations are suggested to adjust the treatment of patients with respiratory pathology in specific conditions of abruptly changeable weather.

Conclusions: The maritime monsoon climate creates an additional strain on both respiratory system and systems that ensure the peroxidation balance worsening bronchopulmonary pathology.

Keywords: Global Health implication; Monsoon climate; Peroxidation processes; Pulmonary function; Respiratory diseases; Weather.