Evaluation of relationship between ischemic stroke and atmospheric conditions

Stroke is an important cause of morbidity, and motality, and it is the third leading cause of death. Most of the strokes are ischemic strokes. The relationship between stroke and weather conditions is very impressive to many clinicians.In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between ischemic stroke and weather conditions such as athmospheric pressure, weather temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and direction.One hundred and twenty eight cases of ischemic stroke who had been admitted to our hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31,2010 were included in our study. Cases were determined by reading their files and imaging reports in our hospital?s computerized recording system. Relationships between monthly numbers of cases and monthly mean values of weather conditions; between daily numbers of cases and weather conditions of the same day, 1, 2, and 3 days ago; and changes in these weather conditions were evaluated. ANOVA analysis, chi-square, Sidak, and LSD tests were used in statistical analysis. P?0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Female patients constituted 53.9% of our cases. Mean age was 72±10 years. In our study, no significant relationships were found between monthly numbers of cases, and monthly mean values of weather conditions; and between daily numbers of cases and weather conditions of the same day. When the relationship between daily case numbers and weather conditions of previous days were evaluated; a significant negative correlation with maximum wind speed of 3 days ago was found. No significant relationships between daily case numbers and changes of weather conditions within the same day were found. When the relationship between daily case numbers and changes in weather conditions between consecutive days were evaulated, a significant negative correlation with atmospheric pressure change in the last 24 hours was found.As a result, lower maximum wind speed and lower change in atmospheric pressure increase the possibility of ischemic stroke after 3 days and within 24 hours, respectively.KEY WORDS: Ischemic stroke, weather conditions, atmospheric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction.