Impact of ambient temperature on respiratory disease: a case-crossover study in Seoul

Respiratory diseases contribute to global morbidity and mortality, and temperature is a significant factor. We investigated the association between ambient temperature and emergency department (ED) visits for various respiratory diseases in Seoul, South Korea.

Using data from the National Emergency Department Information System (2008–2017), we analysed 1,616,644 ED visits for respiratory diseases, categorised according to the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases 7th revision codes (J00-J99). Using a time-stratified case-crossover design and a distributed lag nonlinear model, we investigated the effect of temperature exposure on ED visits for respiratory diseases, calculating the relative risk (RR) for the maximum risk temperature (MaxRT) of both cold and hot extremes compared to the minimum risk temperature (MinRT).

Cold temperatures (MaxRT: -9.0 °C) resulted in a 2.68-fold increase (RR = 2.68, 95% CI = 2.26–3.14) in ED visits for total respiratory diseases, while hot temperatures (MaxRT: 29.4 °C) led to a 1.26-fold increase (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.11–1.42) compared to the MinRT (24.8 °C). Cold temperatures increased the risk of most respiratory diseases, except interstitial lung disease, whereas hot temperatures increased ED visits for acute upper respiratory infections and influenza. Cold temperatures increased ED visits for all age groups, especially those aged 18–64 (RR = 3.54, 95% CI = 2.90–4.33), while hot temperatures significantly affected those < 18 (RR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.27–1.66). The risk levels were similar in both males and females, regardless of hot and cold temperatures.

Our findings underscore the significant impact of both cold and heat exposure on ED visits for respiratory diseases, with varying intensities and risk profiles across different population groups.