Assessment of Environmental Pollutants and their Relationship with Chronic Respiratory Disease Exacerbations in Jamshoro: A Cross-Sectional Study

Arsalan Ahmed Uqaili; Tazeen Shah; Saima Naz; Uzair Abbas; Sana  Shabbir

doi:10.36283/ziun-pjmd13-4/014

Authors

Arsalan Ahmed Uqaili Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3692-3707
Tazeen Shah Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0803-8866
Saima Naz Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8767-6510
Uzair Abbas Dow University of Medical and Health Sciences, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0517-247X
Sana Shabbir Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7441-0625

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/ziun-pjmd13-4/014

Keywords:

Air Quality Index (AQI), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma, Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Spirometry, Exacerbation, Environmental Health.

Abstract

Background: COPD and Asthma are a burden to our society and in a city like Jamshoro having industries and power plants in close vicinity, this becomes a greater concern. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between air quality indices (AQIs) and exacerbations in chronic obstructive respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, prevalent among the general population in Jamshoro.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted from August 2023 to February 2024 at LUMHS, Jamshoro (ERC approval: 14287/23/081), used purposive sampling to recruit 300 adults with asthma or COPD. Air quality data (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2) were collected, and respiratory outcomes were measured via spirometry and a validated questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyzed the association between air quality and exacerbations. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained.

Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between PM10, NO2, and FEV1 (r = -0.45, p < 0.01; r = -0.40, p < 0.01). Chi-square analysis indicated a strong association between AQI categories and exacerbation rates (χ² = 25.6, df = 3, p < 0.001). Multiple regression showed that PM10 and NO2 were significant independent predictors of respiratory exacerbation (β = 0.049, p < 0.01; β = 0.038, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The study underscores the adverse respiratory health consequences of poor air quality in Jamshoro and recommends the implementation of effective air quality management policies.

Author Biographies

Arsalan Ahmed Uqaili, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh

Department of Physiology
Tazeen Shah, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Associate Professor , Department of Physiology
Saima Naz, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Assistant Professor , Department of Physiology
Uzair Abbas, Dow University of Medical and Health Sciences, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology
Sana Shabbir, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Lecturer, Department of Anatomy

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