The Association Between Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease Subjects in Saudi Arabia

Background: In its guidance on air pollution definitions and adverse effects, the American Thoracic Society noted that air pollution is associated with various pulmonary diseases. As a result of air pollution, people suffer from decreased lung function, COPD exacerbations, severe asthma attacks, and frequent hospitalizations. Most of the previous studies collected their data retrospectively based on the number of emergency admissions for each day, which is considered a limitation due to the lack of information on the primary cause of patients’ exacerbations. In this study, a detailed questionnaire has been developed to investigate the association between air pollution and respiratory disease subjects in Saudi Arabia for its importance in developing preventative strategies and providing effective subject care. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study has been used to measure the association between air pollution exposure and respiratory diseases. The study population included subjects with asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and/or rhinosinusitis in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Yanbu cities from 2023 to 2024. The targeted sample size was 385 subjects. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: demographic data, respiratory diseases, and air pollution effects. It was conducted online and distributed using data collectors. Before distributing the questionnaire, IRB approval was obtained, and informed consent was obtained from each subject. Air pollution data was obtained from a fixed-site air quality monitoring which collects data from a monitoring station in the selected cities. Results: The analysis showed a significant correlation P < .005 among three important disease characteristics: disease exacerbation, shortness of breath, and sneezing/runny or blocked nose with air pollution exposure. When compared to patients who were not exposed to pollution, those who were exposed showed greater prevalence rates of these symptoms. Conclusions: This research provided valuable insights into the association between air pollution and respiratory diseases among subjects in Saudi Arabia.Association between exposure to pollution and disease characteristics.