Michael Kockler1, Peter Schlattmann2, Mario Walther3, Georg Hagemann4, Philipp Nils Becker4, Steffen Rosahl5, Otto W Witte1, Matthias Schwab1, Florian Rakers6,7. 1. Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany. 2. Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer Sciences and Documentation, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany. 3. Department of Fundamental Sciences, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences, 07745, Jena, Germany. 4. Department of Neurology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, 13125, Berlin, Germany. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, HELIOS Hospital Erfurt, 99089, Erfurt, Germany. 6. Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany. Florian.Rakers@med.uni-jena.de. 7. Department of Neurology, HELIOS Hospital Berlin-Buch, 13125, Berlin, Germany. Florian.Rakers@med.uni-jena.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) occur unexpectedly and independently of classical risk factors. In the light of increasing climate variability and change, we investigated weather and rapid weather changes as possible short-term risk factors for SAH. METHODS: Seven hundred ninety one patients admitted to three major hospitals in Germany for non-traumatic SAH with a determinable onset of SAH symptoms were included in this hospital-based, case-crossover study. The effects of atmospheric pressure, relative air humidity, and ambient temperature and their 24 h changes on the onset of SAH under temperate climate conditions were estimated. RESULTS: There was no association between the risk of SAH and 24 h weather changes, mean daily temperature or mean relative air humidity in the overall population. For every 11.5 hPa higher mean daily atmospheric pressure, the risk of SAH increased by 15% (OR 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.30) in the entire study population with a lag time of three days. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest no relevant association between 24 h-weather changes or absolute values of ambient temperature and relative humidity and the risk of SAH. The medical significance of the statistically weak increase in SAH risk three days after exposure to high atmospheric pressure is unclear. However, as the occurrence of stable high-pressure systems will increase with global warming and potentially affect SAH risk, we call for confirming studies in different geographical regions to verify our observations.
BACKGROUND: Most spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) occur unexpectedly and independently of classical risk factors. In the light of increasing climate variability and change, we investigated weather and rapid weather changes as possible short-term risk factors for SAH. METHODS: Seven hundred ninety one patients admitted to three major hospitals in Germany for non-traumatic SAH with a determinable onset of SAH symptoms were included in this hospital-based, case-crossover study. The effects of atmospheric pressure, relative air humidity, and ambient temperature and their 24 h changes on the onset of SAH under temperate climate conditions were estimated. RESULTS: There was no association between the risk of SAH and 24 h weather changes, mean daily temperature or mean relative air humidity in the overall population. For every 11.5 hPa higher mean daily atmospheric pressure, the risk of SAH increased by 15% (OR 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.30) in the entire study population with a lag time of three days. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest no relevant association between 24 h-weather changes or absolute values of ambient temperature and relative humidity and the risk of SAH. The medical significance of the statistically weak increase in SAH risk three days after exposure to high atmospheric pressure is unclear. However, as the occurrence of stable high-pressure systems will increase with global warming and potentially affect SAH risk, we call for confirming studies in different geographical regions to verify our observations.
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