Quantitative analysis of the effects of air pollution and urbanization on the rate of allergy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of air pollution and urbanization on the rate of allergic rhinitis and COPD in Turkey. Allergy and COPD rates compiled from the Turkish Ministry of Health Statistical Yearbooks and air pollution and urbanization data from the World Bank Country Reports database were used in the study. According to the Ministry of Health data, rate data for allergy and COPD were currently provided from 2008 to 2022. Therefore, the study covered the years 2008–2022 as a time limit. The rate of allergy was 9.30% in 2008, it was 9.60% in 2022 and the average was 9.46 ± 3.03. The COPD rate showed a peak at 21.61% in 2020 but then fluctuated, making the average of 23.47% potentially misleading. Allergy rate remained relatively stable (9.30% to 9.60%). While the rate of COPD was 2.20% in 2008, it was 21.61% in 2020 and the average was 6.00 ± 2.54. The average air pollution value was 23.47 ± 0.88 micrograms per cubic meter and the average urbanization value was 73.50 ± 2.36. Health expenditures increased from 11.09% to 11.53% and the average was 10.38 ± 0.79. There was a statistically significant and positive relationship between allergy and urbanization (r = 0.564; p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between COPD and urbanization (r = 0.776; p < 0.01). There was no direct relationship between air pollution and both allergy and COPD (p > 0.05). According to the linear regression analysis results, the effect of urbanization on allergy was statistically significant and positive (B = 0.924; p < 0.05). The effect of urbanization on COPD rate was statistically significant and positive (B = 1.052; p < 0.01). Although air pollution is reported to be important for allergy and COPD, urbanization has emerged as an indirect factor effecting COPD rate. Since combating air pollution is more effective today than in the past, more studies and field research are needed on other disease causative factors brought about by urbanization.