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A Prospective Study of the Impact of Hot Climate on Polytrauma Patients

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Background: Climatic change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. It is widely recognized that extreme climatic conditions during summer months may constitute public health threat. Elderly persons, children & patients with chronic medical problems or poor physical reserves are particularly susceptible to heat related illness. Trauma is the overall leading cause of death in younger age group. Persons who are working outside in the fields are exposed to direct atmospheric heat via radiations from sun. The industrial workers get exposed to industrial pollution and high humidity levels which interfere with evaporation. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to compare the incidence of complications and hospital stay in polytrauma patients during hot climate with comfortable temperature. Material and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken to study the impact of hot climate on 100 polytrauma patients of age 20-70 yrs of either sex with moderate trauma (Trauma index score >8). Patients were grouped on the basis of peak outdoor temperature. Group I included the polytrauma patients when peak outdoor temperature ranged between 20-29°C (comfortable zone) and Group II included the polytrauma patients when peak outdoor temperature was >40°C. Fifty patients were enrolled in each group. To reduce the bias, inclusion and exclusion criterion were defined. Meteorological factors, patient characteristics, surgical procedures undertaken and other related data were noted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in relation to duration of hospital stay and complications among both groups. Mean duration of hospital stays (days) was 15.11±5.78 in group I and 17.14±7.61 in group II with p-value of 0.161. In group I, only 19 patients (38%) whereas in group II, 22(44%) patients had complications (p-value 0.271). Conclusion: We did not find any statistically significant difference on hot climate as compared to comfortable temperature in 100 polytrauma adult patients. Four patients died during study period, one in group I and three in group II. All patients who died were high risk as per Shoe Maker’s Risk Score and ASA physical status.

Perspectives

Background: Climatic change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. It is widely recognized that extreme climatic conditions during summer months may constitute public health threat. Elderly persons, children & patients with chronic medical problems or poor physical reserves are particularly susceptible to heat related illness. Trauma is the overall leading cause of death in younger age group. Persons who are working outside in the fields are exposed to direct atmospheric heat via radiations from sun. The industrial workers get exposed to industrial pollution and high humidity levels which interfere with evaporation. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to compare the incidence of complications and hospital stay in polytrauma patients during hot climate with comfortable temperature. Material and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken to study the impact of hot climate on 100 polytrauma patients of age 20-70 yrs of either sex with moderate trauma (Trauma index score >8). Patients were grouped on the basis of peak outdoor temperature. Group I included the polytrauma patients when peak outdoor temperature ranged between 20-29°C (comfortable zone) and Group II included the polytrauma patients when peak outdoor temperature was >40°C. Fifty patients were enrolled in each group. To reduce the bias, inclusion and exclusion criterion were defined. Meteorological factors, patient characteristics, surgical procedures undertaken and other related data were noted. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in relation to duration of hospital stay and complications among both groups. Mean duration of hospital stays (days) was 15.11±5.78 in group I and 17.14±7.61 in group II with p-value of 0.161. In group I, only 19 patients (38%) whereas in group II, 22(44%) patients had complications (p-value 0.271). Conclusion: We did not find any statistically significant difference on hot climate as compared to comfortable temperature in 100 polytrauma adult patients. Four patients died during study period, one in group I and three in group II. All patients who died were high risk as per Shoe Maker’s Risk Score and ASA physical status.

Red Flower Publication Publications
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This page is a summary of: A Prospective Study of the Impact of Hot Climate on Polytrauma Patients, Indian Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia, July 2020, Red Flower Publication Private, Ltd.,
DOI: 10.21088/ijaa.2349.8471.7420.12.
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