[Weather, climate and health]. / Vrijeme, klima i zdravlje.

The notion of complex influence of atmospheric conditions on modem human population, especially the relationship between weather, climate and human healths, has actuated the World Meteorological Organisation to commemorate the coming into force, on March 23, 1950, of the Convention of WMO and this year to celebrate this day by focusing on theme of current interest--"Weather, climate and health". In the light of this, the authors of this paper reveal the results of recent studies dealing with influence of sudden and short-term changes in weather and climate on human health, and future expected climate changes due to "greenhouse" effect, increase in global temperature and tropospheric ozone depletion, as well. Special attention is given to climate shifts due to ENSO (El Niño/Southern Oscillation) phenomenon because of its great impact on human society and epidemics of certain infectious diseases. The results of biometeorological studies dealing with complex influence of daily weather changes on incidence of certain diseases in Croatia have also been presented. In addition, the authors have stated their own view and opinion in regard to future biometeorlogical studies in Croatia in order to achieve better understanding of influence of climate and weather changes on human health, and help prevention of mortality and morbidity related to chronic noninfectious diseases.

[Education of patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema]. / Poduka oboljelih od astme, kronicnog bronhitisa i emfizema pluca.

Patients' education belongs to the most efficient therapeutic measures in the management of asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. The following paper reports the experience in the educational programme at the Polyclinic for Respiratory Diseases in Zagreb. Each patient's education lasted 5 days, 3 lessons per day, in groups of 10-15 persons. The education was carried out by a teaching team consisting of pulmonologists, psychosomatologist, pharmacist, physiotherapist and biometeterologist. From March 1995 to February 1996 135 persons completed the educational programme, 65 of whom were asthma patients. Data on cough and dyspnoea, skills in inhaler and breathing technique were collected at the beginning and 3 months after the education in all asthma patients. Three months after the education the asthma patients showed a significant decrease in dyspnoea and a significant improvement in inhaler and breathing technique. A standard questionnaire was given to all patients at the end of the education and in more than 80% the education was well accepted by the patients. Initial results are encouraging and the programme should be expanded to all parts of Croatia.

Changes in coagulability of blood in patients with cerebrovascular disease in various meteorological situations.

The authors are dealing with the influence of meteorological factors on vascular diseases, primarily on patients with cerebro-vascular disturbances. The parameters mentioned in some studies are also presented in the introduction. There are still few studies by means of which it can be enlightened what happens in the human body affected by atmospheric disturbances. Therefore the basic intention of this study was to come up with answers to at least some segments of this complex problem. A group of patients with cerebrovascular symptoms and signs was chosen for examination. Tests were carried out during cold and warm front passages in anticyclonal situations and low gradient pressure fields within 47 days. In the first stage the tests were carried out only in one day and later for three consecutive days. Meteorological reports are given too. As for medical parameters, the following were controlled: the neurology status, blood pressure, blood test, ECG, REG. The coagulum was regularly checked. The examination was carried out in 12 male and 14 female patients, the age range 43-78. On the basis of the tests, the authors concluded that the most significant changes were noticed in the coagulum and thromboelastogram. According to the results, these changes are manifested during the cold front and during the cold spell caused by it. The findings point to a significant increasing of the thrombocyte aggregation and partly the aggregation index, which can be clinically manifested as the patient's health aggravation. Although other parameters of coagulation did not show significant changes, it cannot be deduced whether they are susceptible to the circumstances in the atmosphere or not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of meterological factors on the manifestation of myocardial infarct in the coastal region of central Dalmatia]. / Utjecaj meteroroloskih cimbenika na javljanje infarkta miokarda u srednjodalmatinskom priobalnom podrucju.

The influence of mediterranean climate on the onset of myocardial infarction (MI) was investigated. The study comprised 1306 MI patients from the coastal part of Middle Dalmatia admitted to the two hospitals in Split in 1981-1987 period. Myocardial infarction incidence during south-wind was significantly greater then during north-wind (chi 2 = 5.6; < 0.05) as well as during all non-south-wind days (chi 2 = 11.6; p < 0.001). The coefficients of partial correlation show mild but still significant connection of MI incidence with increased air temperature (rt = 0.064; p < 0.05) and relative humidity (rh = 0.064; p < 0.05). Cross-correlation with shift also revealed mild connection of MI incidence with increased temperature within four days before and on the day of incident (r = 0.023-0.034; p < 0.05). The analysis of synoptical situations in the days with greatest number of MI's (4 to 6) ascertained the characteristics of unstable weather when passing atmospheric front caused a change in the type of weather. The results suggest that coronary patients should stay at home during the south-wind passing atmospheric front, avoid physical stress and take more often antianginal drugs.