Epidemiology of asthma among children and adolescents depending on the air quality in 2018–2024

Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract characterised by respiratory symptoms, variable airway obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Exposure to air pollution is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing and exacerbating asthma. Its epidemiology ranges from 2% to 20% of the paediatric population.

Aim
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the occurrence of bronchial asthma among children and adolescents and the quality of atmospheric air in Poland.

Material and methods
Data on the incidence of bronchial asthma (J-45) in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years in Poland was obtained from the Ministry of Health, as well as data from the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection on average annual concentrations of selected atmospheric air (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzo[a]pyrene, PM2.5 particulate matter, and PM10 particulate matter). These data cover the period from 2018 to 2024. Statistica 13.6.0.064 (0616) and Pearson correlation coefficients were used in this study.

Results
During the analysed period there was a decrease in average annual air pollutants in Poland. For PM10 particulate matter these concentrations ranged from 32.1 μm³ in 2018 to 20.2 μm³ in 2024, and for benzo(a)pyrene they ranged from 4.3 ng/m³ in 2018 to 1.3 ng/m³ in 2024. The incidence rate of bronchial asthma showed a decreasing trend, reaching 351.2/10,000 in 2018 and 317.4/10,000 in 2024.

Conclusions
The analysis of average selected annual air quality data showed an improvement since 2018. Along with the decrease in atmospheric air pollution concentrations, a decrease in the incidence of bronchial asthma among children and adolescents in Poland was also observed.