title: The relationship between particulate matter (PM10) and hospitalizations and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies have reported variable associations between ambient particulate matter (PM) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalizations and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic study assessing the associations between hospitalizations and mortality from COPD and ambient PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 10 μm, PM10).
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic searches were conducted in 6 common electronic databases. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) to evaluate the relationship between PM10 and COPD hospitalizations and mortality. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested by Begg funnel plot and Egger test, respectively. Study findings were analyzed using random-effect model and fixed-effect model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search yielded 31 studies suitable for the meta-analysis during the period from Jan 1, 2000 to Oct 31, 2011. A 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM10 was associated with a 2.7% (95%CI = 1.9%-3.6%) increase in COPD hospitalizations with an OR of 1.027 (95%CI: 1.019-1.036), and a 1.1% (95%CI: 0.8%-1.4%) increase in COPD mortality with an OR of 1.011 (95%CI: 1.008-1.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ambient PM10 is associated with increased COPD hospitalizations and mortality. Further research is needed to elucidate whether this association is causal and to clarify its mechanisms.
authors: Respiratory Department, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Ruixia
authors: R
authors: Zhu
authors: Yahong
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Shaowei
authors: S
authors: Wu
authors: Furong
authors: F
authors: Deng
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Wanzhen
authors: W
authors: Yao
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter