Effects of climate on admission rates of schizophrenia patients to psychiatric hospitals.
Data on admissions of schizophrenia- and schizoaffective disorder patients to Tel-Aviv's seven public psychiatric hospitals during 11 consecutive years were obtained along with relevant meteorological information. Mean monthly admission rates were significantly higher during the summer (for schizophrenia patients) and fall (for schizoaffective patients). Schizophrenia patients' mean monthly admission rates correlated with mean maximal monthly environmental temperature (R = 0.35, N = 132 months, P <0.001). The present study may indicate that persistent high environmental temperature may be a contributing factor for psychotic exacerbation in schizophrenia patients and their consequent admission to mental hospitals.
Shiloh
Roni
R
Geha Psychiatric Hospital, Geha Mental Health Center, Beilinson Campus, PO Box 102, Petah Tikva 49100, Israel. shiloh_r@netvision.net.il
Shapira
Avraham
A
Potchter
Oded
O
Hermesh
Haggai
H
Popper
Miriam
M
Weizman
Abraham
A
D000328:Adult; D002980:Climate; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature