The impact of a heat wave on mortality in the emergency department

Abstract

Extreme heat wave increases the number of emergency department (ED) admissions and mortality rates. The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of the heat wave experienced in Izmir province of Turkey on mortality.During a 9-day period between 17th and 25th June 2016 (study period), air temperature values were higher than the seasonal norms in Izmir, Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, nontraumatic admissions and in-hospital mortality rates were compared this historical interval of the extreme heat wave with the same period of the previous year and the other 21 days of June 2016.The average air temperature between 17th and 25th June 2016, was higher than the average air temperature of the previous year's same period and the average air temperature from the other 21 days of June 2016 (27.8 ± 3.6 °C, (24.5 ± 1.9°C, 24.1 ± 2.1°C, respectively) (P <.01)During the study period, the mean number of ED visits and mortality rates were significantly higher than the previous year's same period (320 ± 30/day vs 269 ± 27/day, [P <.01], and 1.6% vs 0.7%, [P <.01]).Although the admission rate was similar between the study period and the other 21 days of June 2016 (320 ± 30/day vs 310 ± 32/ day, [P = .445]); in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher during study period (1.6% vs 0.7%, [P <.01]).During the extreme heat waves, ED admissions and in-hospital mortality rates are increased. Precautions should be addressed for adaptation of people to extreme hot weather.

Climatic influences on cardiovascular diseases

“…Low seasonal temperatures increase the odds of mortality[ 9 , 10 ]. An association between extreme high temperatures and mortality has also been demonstrated[ 11 , 12 ], as confirmed by recent data[ 13 - 16 ]. Actually, a number of ecological time-series studies suggest that the relation between mortality and ambient temperature appears graphically as a ‘‘U’’ shape, with mortality rates lower on days in which the average temperatures range between 15° to 25°C, rising progressively as the ambient temperature becomes hotter or colder[ 17 - 20 ].…”

Climate change impacts on heat stress in Brazil—Past, present, and future implications for occupational heat exposure

“…Extreme climate events, such as heat waves, are significantly impacting many regions worldwide (Lewis and Karoly, 2013;Azhar et al, 2014;Bittner et al, 2014;Christidis et al, 2019). The impacts of heat waves on public health are associated with increasing morbidity or mortality rates (Jongsik and Kim, 2012;Lim et al, 2012;Hess et al, 2014;Laaidi et al, 2014;Tasian et al, 2014;Chien et al, 2016;Kim and Kim, 2017;Oray et al, 2018). Zhao et al (2019) found that 6% of hospitalizations during the Brazilian hot season were associated with heat wave exposure.…”

Excess Mortality in Istanbul during Extreme Heat Waves between 2013 and 2017

“…A study on the effects of heat on mortality in European and Eastern–Southern Mediterranean cities including Istanbul shows that a 1 °C increase above threshold causes a 2.4% increase in mortality on all ages [15]. Oray et al [16] reported in an observational study that an increase in mortality was documented in an emergency department in Izmir during a nine-day period when the air temperature values were higher than the seasonal average of the city in June 2016. Heat-related mortality studies based on health statistics have been very limited, although Turkey has been affected by many well-studied Euro-Mediterranean heat waves, including one in the summer of 2003.…”