Seasonality of hospital admissions for mental disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundSome studies have shown a relationship between seasonality in weather patterns and depressive and behavioural disorders, especially in temperate climate regions. However, there is a lack of studies describing the seasonal patterns of hospital admissions for a variety of mental disorders in tropical and subtropical nations. The aim of this study has been to examine the relationship between seasons and daily hospital admissions for mental disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam.DesignsA 5-year database (2008–2012) compiled by Hanoi Mental Hospital covering mental disorder admissions diagnosed by the International Classification of Diseases 10 was analysed. A negative binominal regression model was applied to estimate the associations between seasonality and daily hospital admissions for mental disorders, for all causes and for specific diagnoses.ResultsThe summer season indicated the highest relative risk (RR=1.24, confidence interval (CI)=1.1–1.39) of hospital admission for mental disorders, with a peak in these cases in June (RR=1.46, CI=1.19–1.7). Compared to other demographic groups, males and the elderly (aged over 60 years) were more sensitive to seasonal risk changes. In the summer season, the RR of hospital visits among men increased by 26% (RR=1.26, CI=1.12–1.41) and among the elderly by 23% (RR=1.23, CI=1.03–1.48). Furthermore, when temperatures including minimum, mean, and maximum increased 1°C, the number of cases for mental disorders increased by 1.7%, 2%, and 2.1%, respectively.ConclusionThe study results showed a correlation between hospital admission for mental disorders and season.

Trend of Neuropsychiatric Morbidity in Sub-Himalayan Region: An Audit of Retrospective Data Mining

“…[ 14 ] In an analysis from a mental hospital of Vietnam, a positive association between temperature and admissions for mental disorders and substance abuses in the month of June when the weather is at its hottest has been reported. [ 15 ] However, in our study, these cases were observed in majority during monsoon and autumn (July to November). Probably because in Himachal Pradesh during sowing and cutting of rabi and kharif crops, people are busy and the attendants of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders generally postpone their visit to health centers.…”

Morbidity Pattern in Psychiatric Ward in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal

“…The effect of seasonality in the hospital admission rate and LoS has been reported by many studies. [28][29][30][31][32] In our study, there were more admissions during month of March(10.2%) as compared to other months. The length of stay was maximum(21.8 days) in May and minimum(17.7 days) in March and there was significant association of LoS with month of admission.…”

Association between Ambient Temperatures and Mental Disorder Hospitalizations in a Subtropical City: A Time-Series Study of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

“…This was consistent with most of the previous studies of a similar nature. Studies from Shanghai [ 8 ], Adelaide, Australia [ 10 , 12 ], Brisbane, Australia [ 44 ], and Vietnam [ 15 ] also reported a higher relative risk for the older group at warmer temperatures. Some studies, however, reported a higher risk among younger groups, including studies from Toronto [ 9 ] and Adelaide, Australia [ 13 ].…”

“…Studies from Shanghai and Toronto [ 8 , 9 ], two Northern Hemispheric cities located at high latitudes above the Tropic of Cancer (23°26′12.9″), have reported higher relative risks of mental-disorder admissions at warmer temperatures, but no association at low temperatures. A majority of other studies also reported a higher risk of mental disorders during warmer temperatures but they focused on hot seasons only [ 10 , 11 ], were conducted during heat waves [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], looked at the effect of seasonality [ 15 , 16 ], used statistical methods not capable of revealing non-linear and lagged effects [ 17 , 18 ], or were not population-based [ 19 ]. Suicide rate, which is relevant to mental disorders, has also been found increasing with warmer temperatures [ 20 , 21 , 22 ] in different regions.…”