Patterns of medical care utilization according to environmental factors in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background/aims: Weather and air pollution are associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. We investigated patterns of medical care use according to meteorological factors and air pollution in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We analyzed the medical care utilization patterns of patients with asthma or COPD registered in the Korea Health Insurance Review and Assessment database for the period 2007 to 2013.

Meteorological Factors and Air Pollutants Contributing to Seasonal Variation of Acute Exacerbation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: We investigated seasonal variation of acute exacerbation of atrial fibrillation (AAF) and contributing environmental factors.

Methods: AAF events, meteorological elements, and air pollutants in Seoul between 2013 and 2015 were obtained from the nationwide database. AAF was defined if a patient visited the emergency room due to any AF-relevant symptoms or signs.