title: [Exacerbations of asthma in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) and volcanic eruption in Montserrat (70 km from Guadeloupe)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the impact of the ash cloud emitted in February 2010 during the eruption of the Soufrière Hill volcano of the island of Montserrat (70 km from Guadeloupe), on asthma exacerbations registered by the emergency hospital services in the archipelago of Guadeloupe in February 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  We first recorded the clinical features and outcome of each adult patient admitted as an emergency with an acute asthma exacerbation during this period, then compared the admission rates for asthma exacerbation, concentrations of particulates and chemical pollutants, and climatic parameters before, during, and after exposure to the ash cloud. Then, using a generalized linear model defined by a Poisson regression, we calculated the risks related to these factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an increase in acute asthma admissions during and after exposure to the ash cloud (2.44/day versus 5.6/day, P<0.003). PM10 (particles<10 microns) were the major particulate pollution episodes (mean: 223 μg/m(3)). Asthmatics admitted acutely during the period of pollution were young adults (35 [18-49] years old), and the majority had asthma classified as intermittent (57%, n=27). In multivariate analysis, PM10 were a risk factor for acute asthma presentations during this period (aRR 2.89, 95% [from 1.69 to 4.93]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes the clinical data and outcome of adult patients admitted to emergency asthma exacerbation during the eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat and indicates that there was a significant impact of the ash plume on respiratory health, mainly in patients with intermittent asthma.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHU de Pointe-à-Pitre, 97159 Pointe-à-Pitre cedex, Guadeloupe. gilbert.cadelis@chu-guadeloupe.fr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cadelis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tourres
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molinie
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D019430:Guadeloupe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014900:West Indies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D052638:Particulate Matter