Health Services Utilization in Asthma Exacerbations and PM₁₀ Levels in Rural Colorado.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The San Luis Valley in rural Colorado often has elevated levels of ambient particulate matter. To date little is known about the impact of ambient particulate matter levels and medical care utilization due to asthma exacerbation in rural communities.

Objectives

We investigated the impact of ambient particulate matter concentrations on emergency/urgent visits and hospitalizations for asthma in a rural community.

Methods

Daily ambient particulate matter concentrations from an air quality monitor in the San Luis Valley (2003-2012) were obtained from the state health department. Deidentified data for emergency/urgent visits with a diagnosis code for asthma were collected from the local health care system organization. A generalized linear model using splines and

SUBMITTER: James KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6322037 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature