Longitudinal study of the relation between environmental conditions and the health of patients in a long-stay hospital
Loewenstein, J.C.; Wolmark, Y.; Bourdel, M.C.; Maffiolo, G.; Krainik, F.; Forette, B.; Berthaux, P.
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 33(4-5): 262-266
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-7620 PMID: 4095328 Document Number: 244661
A longitudinal survey has been conducted for a 30-month period in the long-term care hospital of Ivry, in Paris urban area. 1500 people were medically monitored daily by the doctors who were in charge of each unit of the hospital; each individual pathological event was exactly recorded, with complete development. This follow-up permitted to report 6300 acute illnesses. Environmental physical parameters (NOx, SO2, particulates, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure) were recorded indoors and outdoors during the whole period. The relation of environmental conditions to health has been studied with the cross-correlations method, applied to respiratory disease incidence rates and physical parameters series. It appeared that only NOx was significantly related to an increase of respiratory disease incidence rates.