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Temperature drop and the risk of asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

The relationship between asthma and temperature changes remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between temperature changes and the risk of asthma. A total of 26 studies (combined total number of subjects N > 26 million), covering 13 countries and Costa Rica, were identified by using a series of keywords in different combinations and searching the papers in PubMed, EMBSEA, Web of Science, MEDLINE, AIM, LILACS, and WPRIM before February 2016. Most of the papers were published in English. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of temperature drop on risk of asthma. Several secondary analyses were also calculated based on stratification for different age, season, latitude, and region on risk of asthma. The odds ratio (OR) estimate between temperature drop and asthma was 1.05 (95% CI 1.02, 1.08) in the meta-analysis. For children, the overall OR was 1.09 (95% CI 1.03, 1.15). Dose-effect analyses showed stronger associations in asthma risk for each 1°1 °C decrement in short-term temperature (OR 1.055, 95% CI 1.00, 1.11). Further stratifications showed that winter (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 105) and low latitude (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.23, 2.41) have a statistically significant association with the increased risk of asthma. Exposure of people to short-term temperature drop (per 1 °C decrement) was significantly associated with the risk of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) with asthma (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04). Results suggest an adverse effect of temperature drop on asthma risk, especially in children and low-latitude areas. It may be opportune to consider the preventive actions against temperature drop, including simple face masks, to decrease the risk of asthma.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21377077). We would like to thank Dr. Stanley Lin for his constructive comments and English language editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China

    Xiaowei Cong, Xijin Xu, Yuling Zhang, Qihua Wang & Long Xu

  2. Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, China

    Xijin Xu

  3. School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China

    Xia Huo

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  1. Xiaowei Cong
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  4. Qihua Wang
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Cong, X., Xu, X., Zhang, Y. et al. Temperature drop and the risk of asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 22535–22546 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9914-4

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