The Impact of Extreme Heat Waves and Air Pollution on the Prognosis of Chronic Airway Diseases

Extreme heat waves (EHW) and air pollution exacerbate chronic airway diseases, but little is known about how these environmental stressors affect quality of life, airway inflammation, symptom control, and pulmonary function. This study was designed to determine the impact of EHW and air pollution on asthma and COPD. This was a prospective cohort study conducted among individuals with asthma and COPD in Mersin, Türkiye, between February 14 and December 1, 2024. Meteorological and air quality index (AQI) data were obtained from official sources. Participants underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements during periods of normal weather conditions and repeated assessments during documented EHW periods. Patient-reported outcomes included the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) for asthma, and the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) for COPD. Exacerbation episodes requiring systemic corticosteroid use or hospitalization were also recorded. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of EHW and air pollution on disease control, quality of life, lung function, airway inflammation, and exacerbation burden in patients with asthma and COPD.