Correlation analysis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and meteorological factors

Based on the monthly number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from 2002 to 2007 in Chaoyang hospital of Beijing and monthly meteorological data, the relationship between COPD occurrence and meteorological factors was analyzed by statistical method in order to prevent the disease from unfavorable weather conditions. The results show that COPD occurrence has close correlation with air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure and wind speed and so on. The number of patients with COPD is small or large when mean air temperature is equal and greater than or lower than 19.5 ℃; it is small or large when relative humidity is equal and greater than or less than 53%; it increases or decreases when mean air pressure is equal and greater than or less than 1009 hPa; it is small or large when wind speed is equal and more than or less than 3.0 m/s, respectively. Compared with the occurrence time of maximum wind speed, the high occurrence period of COPD is lagged 15 days. Monthly and annual changes of number of patients with COPD are significant. The number of patients with COPD is large in April and small in July, and it increases yearly. COPD could be prevent according to the prediction of climate change and seasonal change, which could reduce number of patients with COPD and provide references for early warning and forecasting of COPD.