Do Weather Conditions Influence the Onset of Renal Colic? A Novel Approach to Analysis

Abstract

Background/Aim: To investigate the seasonal variations of the incidence of renal colic by a computerized analysis of cyclic climatic features. Methods: 1,163 consecutive patients with acute renal colic were studied. Eigendecomposition and signal reconstruction of district temperature and humidity were performed to establish any cyclic variation. Average temperatures and humidity values were calculated at time periods of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days preceding each renal colic. Results: Patients were allocated to groups every 30 days, since eigendeanalysis suggested that intervals of this duration have homogeneous climatic features. With an average time period of 15 days preceding each renal colic, a positive correlation coefficient of temperature (r = +0.75 with CI 0.31–0.93, p < 0.005) and a cubic relationship at the regression analysis (R = 82.4%, p = 0.015) were found with the onset of colics. We observed a negative correlation between humidity and renal colic (rho = –0.70 with CI –0.92 to –0.21, p < 0.01), with an inverse relation as regression model (R = 57.9%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between the onset of renal colics and exposure to hot and dry weather, particularly when temperatures rose above 27°C and relative humidity fell below 45%.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Renal Colic and Climate-Related Causes in a Continental Area in Spain

“…There are several international studies that support this fact [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. A similar study was conducted and published with respect to a different area in Spain; however, the number of cases is much lower than the one presented in this paper [1].…”

Mean temperature and humidity variations, along with patient age, predict the number of visits for renal colic in a large urban Emergency Department: Results of a 9-year survey

“…Chen et al showed a seasonal trend, peaking in July, in the monthly urinary calculi attack rates in a retrospective study on a Taiwanese population [30]. Boscolo-Berto et al studied 1163 consecutive patients with acute renal colic, and found an association between the onset of symptoms and exposure to hot and dry weather, particularly for temperatures above 27°C and humidity below 45% [31]. In a survey of cases of renal colic in an urban ED, Cupisti et al found a seasonal distribution, peaking in July [32].…”

Does fasting in Ramadan increase the risk of developing urinary stones?

“…This also conforms with previous studies as Taha2 concluded that higher temperatures rather than Ramadan fasting appeared to be a risk factor for urinary tract stones. Boscolo-Berto et al14 concluded that there is an association between hot and dry climate and increased urinary tract stone formation. A different study also concluded that urinary tract stone admissions increased during the hottest months of the year, and started declining starting from Septemer 15.…”