OBJECTIVE: The possible effect of the various meteorological variables on the incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) has intrigued the scientific community for decades. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis regarding the association between meteorological variables and clinical data for upper and lower RTIs in the area of Attica, Greece. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant (P<0.001) negative correlation between weekly average temperature with the proportion of weekly house call visits resulting in a diagnosis of upper or lower RTIs 4 days later (R=-0.56 and -0.71 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively) as well as 7 days later (R=-0.57 and -0.71 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively) and during the same day (R=-0.55 and -0.68 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively). In addition, there was a negative correlation between weekly wind chill average (and minimum) temperature as well as a positive correlation of relative humidity with upper and lower RTIs. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between wind speed and upper or lower RTIs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that house call visits due to upper and lower RTIs increased as the average temperature in the area of Attica decreased.
OBJECTIVE: The possible effect of the various meteorological variables on the incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) has intrigued the scientific community for decades. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis regarding the association between meteorological variables and clinical data for upper and lower RTIs in the area of Attica, Greece. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant (P<0.001) negative correlation between weekly average temperature with the proportion of weekly house call visits resulting in a diagnosis of upper or lower RTIs 4 days later (R=-0.56 and -0.71 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively) as well as 7 days later (R=-0.57 and -0.71 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively) and during the same day (R=-0.55 and -0.68 for upper and lower RTIs, respectively). In addition, there was a negative correlation between weekly wind chill average (and minimum) temperature as well as a positive correlation of relative humidity with upper and lower RTIs. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between wind speed and upper or lower RTIs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that house call visits due to upper and lower RTIs increased as the average temperature in the area of Attica decreased.
Authors: M E Falagas; G Peppas; D K Matthaiou; D E Karageorgopoulos; N Karalis; G Theocharis Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2008-12-23 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: G Theocharis; K A Polyzos; E K Vouloumanou; G Peppas; T Spiropoulos; S G Barbas; M E Falagas Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Alex Spanos; George Theocharis; Drosos E Karageorgopoulos; George Peppas; Dimitris Fouskakis; Matthew E Falagas Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-08-08 Impact factor: 3.240