Effects of Asian dust storm events on daily clinical visits for conjunctivitis in Taipei, Taiwan

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm (ADS) events. The objective of this study was to assess the possible associations of ADS with daily clinic visits for conjunctivitis in residents in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period from 1997-2001. Forty-nine dust storm episodes were classified and classified as index days. Daily clinical visits for conjunctivitis on the index days were compared with clinical visits on the comparison (non-storm) days. Two comparison days for each index day, 7 d before the index days and 7 d after the index days, were selected. The effects of dust storms on clinic visits for conjunctivitis were prominent 4 d after the event. However, the association was not statistically significant. There may not have been enough power to detect associations resulting from the inadequate sample size of conjunctivitis visits on ADS events days. However, it seems worthwhile to pay more attention to the ADS events and health in the future.