A preliminary study on the relation between thunderstorms and mortality of in-patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between thunderstorms and mortality of in-patients.


METHODS
Data for in-patients and deaths in internal medicine departments from four hospitals in Shanghai were collected and grouped according to meteorological conditions.


RESULTS
Weekly mortality of in-patients was significantly higher on days with thunderstorms than on fine days. This effect was significant for patients in respiratory, cardiovascular and neurology wards but not in the wards of other specialties.
Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, PR China.
Qin-fang
QF
Deng
Cai-cun
CC
Zhou
Jian-fong
JF
Xu
Rui-bao
RB
Tang
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008030:Lightning; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011891:Rain; D012307:Risk Factors