The Effect of Meteorological and Pollution Parameters on the Frequency of Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Problems in Athens

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of meteorological and pollution parameters on the frequency of hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study included 1,554 patients who were hospitalised in a major hospital in Athens during an 8-year period. The meteorological and pollution database consists of daily values of 12 original parameters and 24 constructed ones. The statistical methods used to analyse it were simple linear correlation and linear stepwise regression analysis and they were applied to 10-day period data. The results showed that temperature, humidity and smoke concentrations were significantly correlated with the incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.