The effects of ambient temperature variation on respiratory hospitalizations in summer, New York State

OBJECTIVE: A time-series study was used to assess the effect of temperature variation during summer on respiratory disease in New York State. METHODS: Daily respiratory admissions were linked with various meteorological indicators including daily and weekly temperature variation from June-August, 1991-2004. Two-stage Bayesian hierarchical models were used to first compute percent excess risks at the region level while controlling for air pollutants and time-varying variables using Poisson generalized additive models, and then to pool statewide estimates together after controlling for regional confounders. RESULTS: This study found that the daily temperature range between maximum and minimum temperature was associated with a 0·27-0·38% increased risk of admission. Minimum temperature (TMIN) above the previous 6-day average was associated with a 0·93% higher risk of respiratory morbidity. Multiday temperature ranges within 5 and 7 days were associated with 0·49 and 0·73% increases in admissions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that daily and multiday temperature variation may increase respiratory hospitalizations with a larger risk associated with TMIN.