Effects of Barometric Pressure and Temperature on Acute Ischemic Stroke Hospitalization in Augusta, GA

Abstract

Several studies worldwide have demonstrated significant relationships between meteorological parameters and stroke events. However, authors often reported discordant effects of both barometric pressure and air temperature on stroke occurrence. The present study investigated whether there was an association between weather parameters (barometric pressure and temperature) and ischemic stroke hospitalization. The aim of the study was to find out whether daily barometric pressure may be used as a prognostic variable to evaluate the workload change of a neurological intensive care unit. We conducted a retrospective review study in which we collected the independent (barometric pressure and temperature) and dependent variables (stroke hospitalization) every 24 h for the periods 10/1/2016-4/30/2017 at Augusta University Medical Center of Augusta, GA. We analyzed the data with zero-inflated Poisson model to assess the relationship between the barometric pressure, temperature, and daily stroke hospitalization. The results showed that there was a significantly correlation between daily barometric pressure variation and daily stroke hospitalization, especially on elder male patients (≥ 65). Stroke events were more likely to occur in the patients with risk factors than in those without risk factors when exposed to barometric pressure and temperature changes. Decreased barometric pressure and increased temperature were associated with increased daily stroke hospitalization. Furthermore, there was a potential delayed effect of increased stroke events after cold temperature exposure. Barometric pressure and temperature changes over the preceding 24 h are associated with daily stroke hospitalization. These findings may enhance our understanding of relationship between stroke and weather and maybe used in the development of public health strategies to minimize the weather-related stroke risk.

<p>Potential Impacts of Meteorological Variables on Acute Ischemic Stroke Onset</p>

“…Daily numbers of ischemic stroke onset were modeled using generalized linear Poisson regression models to study the association between stroke onset and meteorological variables including air temperature (mean, maximum, minimum, diurnal variation), barometric pressure (mean, maximum, minimum, diurnal variation), and relative humidity. 6,9,14 Each meteorological variable was modeled separately after adjusting for day of week, public holiday (binary variable) and AQI, removing the confounding effect of those factors on stroke onset. Modeling was also repeated in the subgroup analysis (<75 years vs. ≥75years; male vs. female).…”

“…Both immediate and delayed effects of weather conditions on stroke occurrence were revealed. [6][7][8][9] However, existing studies often reported discordant effects of these meteorological parameters on ischemic stroke occurrence. For example, conclusions on the temperature and barometric pressure were inconsistent.…”

“…Some studies showed high values resulted in a higher risk of ischemic stroke, 10,11 some concluded no associations between these weather conditions and ischemic stroke morbidity, 8,12,13 whereas some others revealed that low values resulted in higher risk of ischemic stroke. 6,9,14 So the relationship between meteorological parameters and stroke is still confusing and controversial. Most of the previous studies explored the association between meteorological variables and ischemic stroke admission instead of the stroke onset time, which would lead to misclassification of time and influence the estimates of adverse effects for meteorological variables.…”

A Link between Atmospheric Pressure and Fertility of Drosophila Laboratory Strains

“…On the other hand, the negative influence of changes of atmospheric pressure on human health has been established. Significant correlations were discovered between daily barometric pressure variation and daily stroke hospitalization [4], between low barometric pressure and aggressive behavior in patients in psychiatric hospitals [5], between low barometric pressure and increased pain and stress levels in the patients with fibromyalgia [6]. Thus, changes in atmospheric pressure as an aspect of global warming could have a serious effect on public health.…”

Impact of barometric pressure on adhesive small bowel obstruction: A retrospective study

“…Several diseases have been reported to be related to barometric pressure, including acute ischemic stroke [8], benign paroxysmal positional vertigo [9], and migraine headache [10]. According to Boyle's law, it is assumed that the decreased barometric pressure would cause the volume of intestinal gas to expand.…”