tailieunhanh - Air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated links between very severe pollution episodes and increased mortality of infants and others. One of the most famous focused on a “killer fog” in London, England and found dramatic increases in cardiopulmonary mortality (Logan and Glasg, 1953). It has been less clear whether levels of air pollution that are common in the . today have effects on infant health. Previous epidemiological research on the effects of moderate pollution levels on prenatal health suggest negative effects but have produced inconsistent results. Chart 1 provides a list of previous studies examining this relationship, limiting our reviewto develop- ing countries that are likely to have comparable levels of pollutions to. | INVITED REVIEW SERIES AIR POLLUTION AND LUNG HEALTH SERIES EDITORS IAN YANG AND STEPHEN HOLGATE Air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease FANNY . KO AND David . HUI Department of Medicine and Therapeutics The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ABSTRACT Limited data suggest that outdoor air pollution such as ambient air pollution or traffic-related air pollution and indoor air pollution such as second-hand smoking and biomass fuel combustion exposure are associated with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD but there is insufficient evidence to prove a causal relationship at this stage. It also appears that outdoor air pollution is a significant environmental trigger for acute exacerbation of COPD leading to increasing symptoms emergency department visits hospital admissions and even mortality. Improving ambient air pollution and decreasing indoor biomass combustion exposure by improving home ventilation are effective measures that may substantially improve the health of the general public. Key words air pollution chronic obstructive pulmonary disease development exacerbation. INTRODUCTION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is an important disease worldwide in both high-income and low-income By the year 2020 it has been estimated that COPD will rank fifth among the conditions with a high burden to society and third among the most important causes of death for both The Authors Dr Fanny Ko is a respiratory specialist physician currently holding a position as an Associate Consultant in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. She is also the Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of the Faculty of Medicine The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her main research interest is in the area of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. Dr David Hui is the Stanley Ho Professor of Respiratory Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Honorary Consultant