Weather fluctuations: predictive factors in the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome.

Hamid Sharif Nia,Roghieh Nazari,Ali Akbar Haghdoost,Yiong Huak Chan,Azar Jafari,Farhad Arefinia,Roghiyeh Pourkia,Saeed Pahlevan Sharif,Ameneh Yaghoobzadeh,Amir Hossein Goudarzian,Erika Sivarajan Froelicher

doi:10.15171/hpp.2019.17

Abstract

Background: Meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there is almost no evidence on a national level to suggest the associations between these variables and ACS in Iran. We aim to identify the meteorological parameters and seasonal changes in relationship to ACS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 03/19/2015 to 03/18/2016 and used documents and records of patients with ACS in Mazandaran ProvinceHeart Center, Iran. The following definitive diagnostic criteria for ACS were used: (1) existence of cardiac enzymes (CK or CK-MB) above the normal range; (2) Greater than 1 mm ST-segment elevation or depression; (3) abnormal Q waves; and (4) manifestation of troponin enzyme in the blood. Data were collected daily, such as temperature (Celsius) changes, wind speed and its direction, rainfall, daily evaporation rate; number of sunny days, and relative humidity were provided by the Meteorological Organization of Iran. Results: A sample of 2,054 patients with ACS were recruited. The results indicated the highest ACS events from March to May. Generally, wind speed (18 PM) [IRR = 1.051 (95% CI: 1.019 to1.083), P=0.001], daily evaporation [IRR = 1.039 (95% CI: 1.003 to 1.077), P=0.032], daily maximum (P<0.001) and minimum (P=0.003) relative humidity was positively correlated withACS events. Also, negatively correlated variables were daily relative humidity (18 PM) [IRR =0.985 (95% CI: 0.978 to 0.992), P<0.001], and daily minimum temperature [IRR = 0.942 (95%CI: 0.927 to 0.958), P<0.001]. Conclusion: Climate changes were found to be significantly associated with ACS; especially from cold weather to hot weather in March, April and May. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific conditions and cold exposures.

Highlights

One of these studies focused on the effects of weather conditions on incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that has been discussed in different areas of the world for Sharif Nia et al more than 50 years.[6]
A number of investigators found that meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of ACS.[7,8]
Several studies suggest that ACS occurs most often in the winter months,[14,15,16,17] other studies report that the occurrence rate of ACS increases in spring.[6,18]

Summary

Introduction

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most common health problems in the world, which can increase mental health problems, result in considerable disability, increase morbidity, and mortality.[1,2] Studies during several decades have focused on different pathophysiological mechanisms and predisposing factors for the incidence of ACS.[3,4,5] One of these studies focused on the effects of weather conditions on incidence of ACS that has been discussed in different areas of the world for Sharif Nia et al more than 50 years.[6] A number of investigators found that meteorological parameters and seasonal changes can play an important role in the occurrence of ACS.[7,8] The role of temperature is both direct and fast. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific conditions and cold exposures

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Results

Conclusion