Can seasonal differences affective on frequency and mortality of pulmonary embolism?

Abstract

Aims: Does a seasonal variation in the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) exist? The aim of our study is to assess seasonal variation in the incidence of PE and to determine whether there are any differences in mortality. Methods: Medical documentation of 402 patients diagnosed as acute PE in the five-year period were retrospectively analyzed. The study included patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of PE confirmed by spiral thorax computed tomography. Results: The highest numbers of case were seen in spring (n=115, 28.6%). In terms of months, the greatest number of cases occurred in November (n=48, 11.9%) and April (n=47, 11.7%). Case distribution according to seasons and months were statistically significant (p<0.001). No seasonal differences in mortality rates were observed (p=0.663). Only the distribution of white blood cell (WBC) level by the seasons was statistically significant among the recorded numerical data (p=0.045). The differences in mortality rates by numerical data (age, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D-dimer, CRP, PAB values, sPESI and Wells scores) were statistically significant. Conclusion: Our observation that seasonal differences affective on frequency of PE has been confirmed.

Keywords

• Pulmonary embolism
• seasons
• mortality

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