Effect of Climatological Variables for all Seasons on the Frequency of Incident Stroke Hospitalizations in Scotland.

ABSTRACT

Background: Stroke is a disease, which has a complex multi-factorial etiology. Non-modifiable risk factors are genetics, familial history, age, sex, ethnicity and race, whereas smoking, drinking, physical activity and diet can be modified to reduce the risk of stroke significantly. Aims: The aim of the present study was to see the association between climate variations and incidence of stroke in Scotland. Methods: We have obtained the stroke data as SMR01 (Scottish Morbidity Record 01) as 1,57,639 incident stroke hospitalization in Scotland between 1986 and 2005. To observe for variation in weather parameter, with first stroke incidences per day, daily mean temperature, total rainfall and average daily atmospheric pressure were compared with the frequency of incident strokes per day using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). Result: An overall meteorological analysis of incident strokes per day reveals an inverse statistically significant relationship for average daily temperature (P<0.001) whereas total daily rainfall (P=0.03) and average daily atmospheric pressure (P=0.05) exhibit borderline significance. Correlation of low temperature with stroke might be due to the concurrent occurrence of respiratory infections. We suggest some precautionary measures to minimize the chance of stroke i.e. protection from cold weather, decrease alcohol consumption and maintaining blood pressure within a safe range during winter season. Conclusion: Overall, high stroke incidence during winter season is a combined effect of temperature, rainfall, atmospheric pressure.