OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether the number of emergency department visits for "mental and psychosocial problems" varies with temperature or humidity. METHODS: The number of visits in three geographic areas of Québec were examined as a function of temperature and humidity by using routinely collected May-September data for 1995-2007 (N=347,552 visits). Data for two age groups (under age 65 and age 65 and older) were examined. Incidence rate ratios for mean temperature and humidity were estimated by using Poisson regression and generalized additive models. RESULTS: The number of visits tended to increase with increasing mean temperature. At 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) and 25 °C (77.0 °F), the number was usually significantly higher than average. Visits increased with humidity in the younger age group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest increased use of emergency departments for mental and psychosocial problems with higher mean temperature and humidity, especially in metropolitan areas and in southern Québec. Climate change may make this effect increasingly important.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether the number of emergency department visits for "mental and psychosocial problems" varies with temperature or humidity. METHODS: The number of visits in three geographic areas of Québec were examined as a function of temperature and humidity by using routinely collected May-September data for 1995-2007 (N=347,552 visits). Data for two age groups (under age 65 and age 65 and older) were examined. Incidence rate ratios for mean temperature and humidity were estimated by using Poisson regression and generalized additive models. RESULTS: The number of visits tended to increase with increasing mean temperature. At 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) and 25 °C (77.0 °F), the number was usually significantly higher than average. Visits increased with humidity in the younger age group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest increased use of emergency departments for mental and psychosocial problems with higher mean temperature and humidity, especially in metropolitan areas and in southern Québec. Climate change may make this effect increasingly important.
Authors: Eva Janina Brandl; Tristram A Lett; George Bakanidze; Andreas Heinz; Felix Bermpohl; Meryam Schouler-Ocak Journal: Int J Biometeorol Date: 2017-12-04 Impact factor: 3.787
Authors: Eric Lavigne; Antonio Gasparrini; Xiang Wang; Hong Chen; Abderrahmane Yagouti; Manon D Fleury; Sabit Cakmak Journal: Environ Health Date: 2014-02-03 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Emily Y Y Chan; Holly C Y Lam; Suzanne H W So; William B Goggins; Janice Y Ho; Sida Liu; Phoebe P W Chung Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390