Ambient air pollution and the hospital outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis in Beijing: a time-stratified case-crossover analysis

Abstract

Background: Eczema and dermatitis are a group of common skin conditions with multiple risk factors. Evidence of the effects of air pollutants on eczema and dermatitis remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on eczema and dermatitis in Beijing. Methods: A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to assess the associations between short-term changes in air pollution and the hospital outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis in Beijing. Results: A total of 157 595 outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis were recorded from April 1, 2012 to April 30, 2014. All pollutants showed significant positive associations with the number of outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis on lag 0 (the current day). Per IQR increase in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂ and SO₂ was associated with 3.81% (95% CI: 2.92–4.7%), 3.18% (95% CI: 2.39–3.97%), 5.43% (95% CI: 4.43–6.43%) and 5.57% (95% CI: 4.55–6.58%) increases in outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis on lag 0. Associations of air pollutants with eczema and dermatitis outpatient visits varied with the seasons and were stronger among older people and females. Also, an association of consecutive days' high concentration pollution with increased outpatient visits was observed. Conclusions: Exposure to air pollution increases the exacerbation of eczema and dermatitis and stronger positive associations between air pollutants and outpatient visits for eczema and dermatitis were found among the aged, females and when high concentration air pollution occurs continuously.