Do weather parameters affect emergency room visits due to acute urinary retention?

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to describe the effects of the various climate parameters on emergency room (ER) visits due to acute urinary retention (AUR).

Patients and methods:

This was a single-center retrospective analysis of the ER data of visits due to AUR in males and females between 2010 and 2017. We incorporated ER registries with data from the national meteorological service. Using multivariable logistic regression analyses, we assessed associations between climate parameters and the incidence of AUR.

Results:

A total of 1917 patients were admitted to the ER due to AUR during the study period, of whom 1706 (89%) were males and211 (11%) were females. Most AURs occurred in patients >70 years of age, with males on average being older than women (72.8 vs. 70.1 years old, p=0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that females had more AURs than men (odds ratio (OR)=1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.9, p=0.04) in spring. In all seasons except winter, a higher maximal temperature was associated with an increased risk of AUR, while in winter, a lower temperature was associated with an increased risk (OR=0.654, 95% CI 0.602–0.711, p<0.0001). Additionally, the following were associated with an increased AUR risk: increased wind speed and lower heat index during the spring, increased precipitation and a lower heat index during the autumn, and a higher heat index in the winter.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that weather parameters might be associated with an increased AUR incidence in a Mediterranean coastline area, with maximal ambient temperature, wind speed, heat index, and precipitation playing a potential role.

Level of evidence:

6.