Seasonal variations and climatic factors on acute primary angle-closure admission in southern China: a 5-year hospital-based retrospective study.

Abstract

To delineate the seasonality of acute primary angle-closure (APAC) admission in a coastal city of southern China and its association with climatic factors. A total of 1155 Chinese subjects with principal diagnosis of APAC attack were recruited from 2012 to 2016, and their medical records were retrieved. Monthly climatic factors were obtained from the Meteorological Bureau of Shantou. Monthly and seasonal APAC admissions were compared, and its correlation with climatic factors was evaluated. APAC admission was higher in female subjects (75.9%) with an overall mean age of 64.7±9.3years. APAC admission was highest in summer with the peak onset in June. The peak of APAC admission for female subjects aged≤65years was in June, and that for>65years was in July. The peak of APAC admission for male subjects aged >65years was in August. Precipitation was positively correlated with APAC admission rate for both aged≤65 (β=0.415, p=0.001) and >65years old (β=0.364, p=0.004) female subjects. In contrast, surface temperature was positively correlated with APAC admission rate for male subjects aged >65years (β=0.441, p<0.001). No climatic factor was correlated with APAC admission rate for male subjects≤65years. This study revealed the peak season of APAC admission in summer, and surface temperature and precipitation are the associated factors. Close monitoring of climate changes could help to reduce the incidence of APAC attack.