Time changes in new cases of ischaemic heart disease in general practice

Meal, Andy; Pringle, Mike; Hammersley, Vicky

doi:10.1093/fampra/17.5.394

Cited by 16 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…13,14 Although many clinicians intuitively believe there is seasonal variation in the patient problems that primary care physicians diagnose and treat, few studies have documented this fi nding. The few published studies we found show seasonal variation in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in general practice (United Kingdom) 15 and in the number of visits to primary care physicians (Sweden). 16 The Swedish study, based on a 14-year observation period from 1969 to 1982, found that visits to primary care physicians declined during July and August in relation to a decline in diagnoses related to respiratory tract infections, and that there were no appreciable differences for the rest of the year.…”

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confidence: 81%

Seasonal Variation in Diagnoses and Visits to Family Physicians

Pace

Dickinson²,

Staton³

2004

The Annals of Family Medicine

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BACKGROUND Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) replicating the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) must sample more than 1 year to account for presumed seasonal variation in illnesses. This study evaluated the effects of seasonality on diagnoses within NAMCS family physician data.METHODS Using combined data from the 1995-1998 NAMCS, diagnostic clusters that accounted for more than 1% of total visits were analyzed for seasonality. Seasons were coded categorically as dummy variables with summer as the reference category. A logistic regression was performed with each diagnosis as an outcome on the full data. To examine the ability of alternative sampling strategies to replicate the full year of data, a simulation study was carried out drawing 50 samples of 1,000 visits each for winter-summer and spring-fall sampling periods. RESULTSWe found 23 diagnostic clusters that had a frequency more than 1%, of which 10 had seasonal variations (P ≤.001), primarily between winter and summer. If sampling were restricted to spring, the diagnostic clusters of pregnancy and coronary artery disease would account for less than 1% of visits. All other diagnostic clusters, though changing rank order, would account for more than 1% if sampled in a single quarter. In the simulated sampling strategy, visit prevalence dropped below 1% for at least 1 diagnosis in 24 of 50 samples in spring-fall compared with 20 of 50 samples for winter-summer (P >.20).CONCLUSIONS There is little seasonal variation in the 23 diagnoses that occur in more than 1% of visits to family physicians. There is, however, important seasonal variation in the rank order of these diagnoses. A sampling strategy that uses any quarter of the year but spring (March, April, May) could be used to understand what diagnoses are frequently seen within a PBRN.

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confidence: 81%

Seasonal Variation in Diagnoses and Visits to Family Physicians

Pace

Dickinson²,

Staton³

2004

The Annals of Family Medicine

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“…Various epidemiological studies have reported greater coronary heart disease (CHD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence and mortality both in winter [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and in extremely hot summers. [8][9][10] Many authors have postulated that weather-related variables may explain these seasonal trends.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 A better understanding of these seasonal patterns may provide novel avenues in cardiovascular prevention. 1 Operative Unit of Cardiology, S. Antonio Abate Hospital, Trapani, Italy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of ambient temperature, humidity, and other meteorological variables on hospital admissions for angina pectoris

Abrignani

Corrao

Biondo

et al. 2011

Eur J Prev Cardiolog

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Background: Seasonal peaks in cardiovascular disease incidence have been widely reported, suggesting weather has a role. Design The aim of our study was to determine the influence of climatic variables on angina pectoris hospital admissions. Methods: We correlated the daily number of angina cases admitted to a western Sicilian hospital over a period of 12 years and local weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind force and direction, precipitation, sunny hours and atmospheric pressure) on a day-to-day basis. A total of 2459 consecutive patients were admitted over the period 1987-1998 (1562 men, 867 women; M/F -1:8).Results: A seasonal variation was found with a noticeable winter peak. The results of Multivariate Poisson analysis showed a significant association between the daily number of angina hospital admission, temperature, and humidity. Significant incidence relative ratios (95% confidence intervals/measure unit) were, in males, 0.988 (0.980-0.996) (p ¼ 0.004) for minimal temperature, 0.990 (0.984-0.996) (p ¼ 0.001) for maximal humidity, and 1.002 (1.000-1.004) (p ¼ 0.045) for minimal humidity. The corresponding values in females were 0.973 (0.951-0.995) (p < 0.017) for maximal temperature and 1.024 (1.001-1.048) (p ¼ 0.037) for minimal temperature. Conclusions: Environmental temperature and humidity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of angina, although it seems different according to the gender. These data may help to understand the mechanisms that trigger ischemic events and to better organize hospital assistance throughout the year.

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“…Greater amounts of lipids in winter vs. summer [9] Alcohol intoxication and drinking Intoxication-related deaths peak during weekend and around festival days [10] Coronary heart disease and stroke New cases of coronary heart disease have maximum numbers in winter (January) and on Mondays and Fridays [11,12] Plasma fibrinogen concentrations showed the greatest seasonal change and were 23% higher in the coldest six months compared with summer months [13] Depression and Attempted Suicide A peak of depression in the late spring and autumn [14] Suicide attempt: higher prevalence in spring-summer [15][16][17] Weight (without medical intervention)…”

Section: Seasonal Variation Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

The Variation of Seasonal Diseases in Family Medicine Depends on Infectious Diseases and these are Mainly Respiratory Diseases

Turabián¹

2017

J Gen Pract

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Family medicine is a major source of information about health problems and their variation. For most illnesses the general practitioner is the first point of contact in the health care system and he looks after a population whose age and sex composition is known. He is therefore in an ideal position to conduct inquiries about seasonal variations of diseases. There are diseases where possible patterns of seasonal variation have been established: psychiatric disorders, allergies, heart disease, etc. It has long been accepted that morbidity patterns in general practice vary seasonally, which mainly depends on the acute pathology of infectious origin. In addition, it can be affirmed that respiratory infections represent the most important percentage of infections. So, seasonal variability of diseases in family medicine can be attributed to the variability of respiratory infections. Infectious disease dynamics offer a wide variety of intriguing and unexplained phenomena. There is a gap in how diverse studies encompassing immunology, mathematics, epidemiology, and virology combine to form a complete picture of seasonality. This may be due to the daunting complexity of seasonality itself, which is likely to reflect the actions of a vast multitude of variables. An understanding of what drives seasonal trends may allow: 1) better understanding of transmission dynamics, leading to better methods of prevention, health education, triage, diagnosis and management; 2) generate causal and risk factor hypotheses; 3) awareness of risks and surveillance systems; 4) monitoring the effects of intervention studies such as immunization programs; 5) identifying the specific environmental and socioeconomic factors underlying seasonal transmission; 6) better Interpretation of prevalence or incidence studies; And 7) redistribution of resources for the care of the demand in family medicine and health care system.

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Time changes in new cases of ischaemic heart disease in general practice

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

Seasonal Variation in Diagnoses and Visits to Family Physicians

Seasonal Variation in Diagnoses and Visits to Family Physicians

Effects of ambient temperature, humidity, and other meteorological variables on hospital admissions for angina pectoris

The Variation of Seasonal Diseases in Family Medicine Depends on Infectious Diseases and these are Mainly Respiratory Diseases

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