engleski

The seasonal distribution of stroke and to correlate stroke incidence with changes in meteorological factors

Introduction Previous studies, also as every day clinical practice implicate that association of weather with stroke incidence exists. The aim of this study was to analyse the seasonal distribution of stroke and to correlate stroke incidence (ischemic (ISH), hemorrhagic (ICH) and subarachnoidal haemorrhage (SAH)) with changes in meteorological factors: outside temperature, air pressure and air humidity. Methods We analysed the data of all stroke patients admitted to Neurology Department University Hospital "Sestre milosrdnice" from January 1st, 2001 till December 31st, 2001. Meteorological data for day before and day of incident were analysed. Results This study involved 1059 stroke patients, 124 SAH, 845 ISH and 90 ICH. We observed significant increase of SAH during May, June and December. The highest incidence of ICH events was in November, July and August. ISH most frequently occurred during July, June and during January and March.According to meteorological changes we observed the higher incidence of ISH during increase in air humidity (51.4%) and air pressure drop (38.2%). 52.5% of all ICH occurred also during air humidity increase and 40% during air pressure drop. Incidence of SAH was higher on days with air pressure and humidity drop (46.9% and 48.7%, respectively). All three stroke types were more frequent on days when rapid increase of outside temperature occurred. Conclusions We observed that the incidence of all three strokes types is higher during summer and winter months when temperature excess is present. Significant correlation between air pressure drop and air humidity increase and stroke occurrence was found.

stroke; meteorological factors; incidence

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