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The effect of the weather on pulmonary exacerbations and viral infections among adults with cystic fibrosis

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Abstract

The effect of changes in the weather on the respiratory health of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is unclear. We conducted a prospective study to determine the impact of climate and season on the incidence of viral respiratory infections (VRI) and pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) among adults with CF. Between December 2010 and April 2012, 98 adults with CF were followed for 12 months. Polymerase chain reaction assays for nine viruses were performed on sputum, nose and throat swabs every 2 months and additionally at onset of PEx. Hourly temperature and relative humidity measurements were recorded throughout the study. Statistical analysis utilized generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Pre-specified criteria for VRI and PEx were met at 29 % and 37 % of visits, respectively. Rhinovirus accounted for 72 % of identified viruses. Incidence of rhinovirus peaked in autumn while non-rhinovirus VRI peaked in winter. Rhinovirus was associated with increased mean temperatures (OR 1.07; p = 0.001), while non-rhinovirus VRI was associated with lower mean temperatures (OR 0.87; p < 0.001). PEx occurred frequently throughout the study with no clear seasonal pattern observed. There was no significant association between climate variables and the incidence of either PEx or antibiotic prescription. There is a seasonal pattern to VRI in adults with CF. The incidence of VRI but not PEx is associated with changes in ambient temperature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK

    W. G. Flight, R. J. Bright-Thomas, J. Morris, A. K. Webb & A. M. Jones

  2. Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    W. G. Flight, R. J. Bright-Thomas, K. J. Mutton, A. K. Webb & A. M. Jones

  3. Met Office, Exeter, UK

    C. Sarran

  4. Department of Virology, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK

    K. J. Mutton

  5. Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK

    W. G. Flight

Authors
  1. W. G. Flight
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  2. R. J. Bright-Thomas
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  3. C. Sarran
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  4. K. J. Mutton
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  5. J. Morris
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  6. A. K. Webb
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  7. A. M. Jones
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. G. Flight.

Additional information

Data from this manuscript were presented in abstract form at the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Conference, Lisbon, June 2013.

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Flight, W.G., Bright-Thomas, R.J., Sarran, C. et al. The effect of the weather on pulmonary exacerbations and viral infections among adults with cystic fibrosis. Int J Biometeorol 58, 1845–1851 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0786-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0786-0

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