Patterns of subarachnoid hemorrhage admissions in England, 2008-2011.
BACKGROUND
To investigate hospital admissions for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) across regions in England in recent years, with the hypothesis that deprived areas have higher admissions.


METHODS
Hospital episode statistics between July 2008 and June 2011 were retrieved. Hospital admissions by geographic and seasonal variations were examined. Data on prevalence of deprivation were extracted from the English Indices of Deprivation. Comparisons were made by using linear regression models to test associations between deprivation and classical risk contributors and SAH admissions at the area level.


RESULTS
SAH admissions were observed to be higher in warm months and lower in cold months. There was not much variation in SAH admissions across regions. Areas with higher prevalence of risk contributors had higher SAH admissions (all p < 0.05), but no relation with deprivation was found. Additionally, over the last 13 years, SAH admissions have decreased (beta: -0.011, 95% CI: -0.015 to -0.008, p < 0.001) annually, but the proportion of male patient admissions has increased (beta: 0.022, 95% CI: 0.008-0.036, p = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
SAH admissions varied across seasons but not geographically. Additionally, they were correlated with known risk contributors. Policies attending to lifestyle change are suggested in reducing this disease.
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK. I.shiue@exeter.ac.uk
Ivy
I
Shiue
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology*