Yoav Hammer1,2, Jihad Bishara2,3, Alon Eisen1,2, Zaza Iakobishvili1,2, Ran Kornowski1,2, Aviv Mager1,2. 1. Department of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel. 2. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. 3. Infectious Disease Unit, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pericarditis is presumed to result from viral infection. The incidence rates of some viral infections have typical seasonal patterns. The data in the literature on a possible seasonal pattern of acute pericarditis are very limited. The mechanism and possible seasonality of recurrent episodes are not well established . HYPOTHESIS: The incidence of acute idiopathic pericarditis has a seasonal pattern. METHODS: The computerized database of a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital was searched for all patients admitted with a first episode of acute idiopathic pericarditis between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. Patients for whom a nonviral etiology for the pericarditis was identified were excluded. RESULTS: The final cohort included 175 patients (75% male) ages 19 to 86 years (median = 50.0 ± 18.2 years). The incidence of the disease was twice as high during the colder half of the year (October-March) than the warmer half, peaking in the first quarter (January-March, P = 0.001). This first-quarter peak was observed in each of the 6 years examined. Comparison of the patients who acquired pericarditis during peak and nonpeak quarters yielded no differences in baseline characteristics, peak body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, or frequency of myocardial involvement or liver enzyme elevation. No seasonal pattern was identified for recurrent episodes of pericarditis (n = 57). CONCLUSIONS: Acute idiopathic pericarditis appears to have a seasonal pattern with a distinct late winter peak. No seasonal pattern was identified for recurrent episodes.
BACKGROUND:Idiopathic pericarditis is presumed to result from viral infection. The incidence rates of some viral infections have typical seasonal patterns. The data in the literature on a possible seasonal pattern of acute pericarditis are very limited. The mechanism and possible seasonality of recurrent episodes are not well established . HYPOTHESIS: The incidence of acute idiopathic pericarditis has a seasonal pattern. METHODS: The computerized database of a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital was searched for all patients admitted with a first episode of acute idiopathic pericarditis between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015. Patients for whom a nonviral etiology for the pericarditis was identified were excluded. RESULTS: The final cohort included 175 patients (75% male) ages 19 to 86 years (median = 50.0 ± 18.2 years). The incidence of the disease was twice as high during the colder half of the year (October-March) than the warmer half, peaking in the first quarter (January-March, P = 0.001). This first-quarter peak was observed in each of the 6 years examined. Comparison of the patients who acquired pericarditis during peak and nonpeak quarters yielded no differences in baseline characteristics, peak body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level, or frequency of myocardial involvement or liver enzyme elevation. No seasonal pattern was identified for recurrent episodes of pericarditis (n = 57). CONCLUSIONS:Acute idiopathic pericarditis appears to have a seasonal pattern with a distinct late winter peak. No seasonal pattern was identified for recurrent episodes.
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