Objectives The impact of cold wave on human health has attracted attentions in recent years, but few studies on the relationship between cold wave and the incidence of respiratory diseases have been conducted at present in China. The data of outpatient clinics in one of first-class hospitals in Harbin in 2009-2011 and the daily meteorological data in the same period were collected to study the impact of cold wave on respiratory diseases, in order to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of cold wave-related health hazards.
Methods The cold wave was defined as the temperature lower than the fifth quintile of average temperature. The total number of outpatients visiting for respiratory diseases during cold wave period were compared with the data during control period to investigate the impact of cold wave on respiratory diseases.
Results Cold wave resulted in an increase in the risk of respiratory diseases (RR:1.19, 95% CI:1.12~1.27); the risk ratio was 1.20 for male, and 1.18 for female. There was a statistically significant impact of cold wave on infants (RR:1.16, 95% CI:1.06~1.27) and the elderly (RR:1.51, 95% CI:1.29~1.77).
Conclusions The number of hospital admissions and the risk of respiratory diseases increased during the time of cold wave occured. There was a significant statistically difference on the sensitivity to cold wave in different age groups, the people aged 0~5 and above 65 year-old were more sensitive to cold wave. Early warning and preventive measures might help to reduce the effects of cold wave.
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