The role of weather and climate in human health and activity, Christchurch, New Zealand

A randomised telephone survey and the diaries of weather sensitive individuals were analysed to look at the influence of the Nor'Wester in Christchurch. Negative symptomatology was described in conjunction with the Nor'Wester. Residents were more at risk of suffering 'Föhn Illness' if they were female, older, unhealthy or on medication or a long-time resident of Christchurch (any combination of these factors increased the risk further). Independent data sets on suicide, attempted suicide, crime, traffic accidents and psychiatric admissions were compared with meteorological parameters. The suicides and suicide attempts formed two distinct groups in the way in which they related to the weather and climate. Psychiatric admissions showed marked variation from year to year. Admissions for mania were strongly linked with fluctuations in the SOI, fewer admissions for depression were highly correlated with low summer rainfall. Crime was inversely correlated with rainfall and also demonstrated a very close relationship to the monthly sunshine total. Traffic accidents were inversely correlated with sunshine and temperature and exhibited strong cyclical (seasonal and annual) behaviour. Weather anomalies are discussed and suggestions are made for further research

Ethnic differences in atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure from Asia-Pacific

Objective Ethnic differences in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure (HF) remain unclear. We compared the prevalence and clinical correlates of AF among different ethnicities in an Asian-Pacific population with HF. Methods Patients with validated HF were prospectively studied across Singapore and New Zealand (NZ). Results Among 1746 patients with HF (62% Asian, 26% women, mean age 66 (SD 13) years, mean ejection fraction (EF) 37 (SD 16%), 39% had AF. The prevalence of AF was markedly lower in Singapore-Asians than NZ-Europeans (24% vs 63%; p \Conclusion There is a strikingly lower prevalence of AF among Asian compared with NZ-European patients with HF. The underlying mechanisms for the lower prevalence of AF among Asians, particularly in the presence of diabetes, deserve further study

Contemporary Management of Cardiogenic Shock: A RAND Appropriateness Panel Approach

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