Association of weather conditions with childhood admissions for wheezy bronchitis or asthma in Athens.

BACKGROUND

The association between asthma morbidity and meteorological conditions is well documented, but it is not clear to what extent more specific meteorological variables are implicated.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aiming to investigate whether there is any association between specific meteorological conditions and the seasonal variation and the rate of asthma admissions among children in Athens.

METHODS

Data were obtained retrospectively from hospital registries of the three main Children's Hospitals in Athens during a 23-year period (1978-2000). The meteorological database consisted of mean monthly values of eight meteorological variables. The whole period studied was divided into three time periods: 1978-1987, 1988-1993 and 1994-2000.

RESULTS

A clear seasonal trend with a permanent pattern was detected. There were more monthly asthma admissions in winter-spring and autumn for younger children, as well as a lower peak in winter and autumn and a major one in May for older children, without significant differences in between the three time periods. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that relative humidity and atmospheric pressure were predictors of up to 56.7% (1988-1993) and 59.2% (1994-2000) monthly asthma admissions among younger children. No relation of the time trend in asthma admissions during the periods studied for any age group with any of the meteorological variables was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a constant seasonal variability in asthma admissions among children in Athens, whereas relative humidity and atmospheric pressure are the more implicated meteorological variables for younger asthmatic children.