The effect of Asian dust on asthma by socioeconomic status using national health insurance claims data in Korea

AbstractContext: Asian dustevents are associated with increased asthma incidence, asthma exacerbation, decreased lung function and increased risk for hospitalization.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Asian dustevents on asthma exacerbationby socioeconomic statususing national health insurance claims data.Materials and methods: A case-crossover design was used to analyze asthma-related national health insurance claims, air pollutant and climate data from 2007 to 2013 in Seoul and Incheon, Korea. We stratified our analysis by socioeconomic status(health insurance versus medical aid subscribers) and calculated the maximum air pollutant levels and average climate values per day. The number of asthma-related visits to medical institutions per day was compared between “event” and “control” days.Results: Compared with “control days”, the average number of asthma-related visits to medical institutions decreased on “event” days and increased 1–5 d thereafter. The number of vis...