Relationship between Meteorological Factors and Emergency Department Visits for Epistaxis in Korea.
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.4.233
- Author:
Jong Jun KIM
1
;
Jae Won CHOI
;
Hyun Woo LIM
;
Yong Jin SONG
;
Nam Kyung YEO
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea. newnew1@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epistaxis;
Incidence;
Meteorological factors;
Temperature;
Weather
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Atmospheric Pressure;
Child;
Climate;
Cold Temperature;
Emergency Service, Hospital*;
Epistaxis*;
Hospitals, Urban;
Humans;
Humidity;
Incidence;
Korea;
Meteorological Concepts*;
Weather
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2014;57(4):233-238
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epistaxis may be related to changes in weather, but this relationship has not been well-defined. We investigated the effects of climate fluctuations (temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure) on the number of emergency department (ED) visits for epistaxis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In total, our study population included 1910 patients who visited the ED of a large, urban hospital during a 5-year period for epistaxis. Patients with clear etiology for epistaxis (trauma, iatrogenic, coagulopathy, and/or hypertension) were excluded, leaving 912 patients for subsequent analysis. Daily climate data was collected through the Korea Meteorological Administration. Correlation between epistaxis ED visits and weather variables were investigated using Poisson distribution and multiple regression analysis. The effect of climate factor was evaluated on the day and up to 3 days prior to ED presentation. Additionally, analyses were conducted separately for children (<15 years-old), adults (15-64 years-old), and elderly patients (> or =65 years-old). RESULTS: Changes in the lowest temperature 2 days prior to ED presentation significantly increased the number of ED visits for epistaxis (beta=-0.043, p=0.033). No associations were found between the number of ED visits and changes in humidity or atmospheric pressure. However, in children, interday changes in the highest atmospheric pressure between 2 and 3 days prior to ED presentation were both significantly associated with increased number of epistaxis ED visits. CONCLUSION: Cold temperatures 2 days prior to ED presentation were related to the increased incidence of epistaxis. Fluctuations in barometric pressure appear to influence the number of pediatric ED visits for epistaxis.
