Abstract
Purpose :
Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) is a fine particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less floating in the atmosphere. It is considered to increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases and allergic diseases. We report on the relationship between exacerbation of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) cases and the concentration of atmospheric PM 2.5 in Fukuoka City, Japan.
Methods :
The subjects were 52 cases of VKC (male 43, female 9, average age 14.5 ± 5.45) who visited Fukuoka University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Comparison of the date on which the concentration of PM 2.5 in Fukuoka city reported by the Ministry of the Environment exceeded the environmental standard (average value of 35 μg / m 3 per day or less) and the exacerbation date of VKC cases based on the medical record investigated. We evaluated VKC exacerbation during before and after 2 days of the day when PM 2.5 concentration exceeded the reference value.
Results :
The period during which the PM 2.5 concentration exceeded the environmental standard was 21 days in 2013 and 23 days in 2014. PM 2.5 is a trend to increase from winter to spring, and in the target period, the number of days exceeding the environmental standard was the largest in May. Twenty-seven cases confirmed exacerbation. Among them, 11 cases were found to be worse during 2 days before and after PM 2.5 exceeded the environmental standards. These cases occupied 21% of all VKC cases and 40% of exacerbation cases.
Conclusions :
It was suggested the atmospheric concentration of PM 2.5 may be related to the exacerbation of VKC.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.