Correlation between epidemiological characteristics and meteorological factors in critically ill patients with respiratory failure

MIAO Dong; WANG Li'ao; ZHANG Lei; WANG Meiying; YE Xiaolei; TIAN Yingping; HOU Yunsheng

doi:10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202501053

Abstract：Objective To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics of critically ill patients with respiratory failure,utilizing spatial epidemiological methods to investigate the relationship between disease onset and seasonal variations,as well as the impact of meteorological factors.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the demographic and clinical data of critically ill patients with respiratory failure admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Shijiazhuang City from January 2022 to December 2023.The Joinpoint regression model and Cox proportional hazards model were utilized to investigate the relationship between seasonal variations and the incidence of respiratory failure in these patients,as well as to explore the correlation with meteorological factors.Results A total of 268 critically ill patients with respiratory failure were included in this study,comprising 54.10％male and 45.90％female,with a median age of 66 years.The most prevalent season for disease onset was winter,followed by autumn.A statistically significant correlation was found between seasonal changes and disease onset in patients(P=0.029).Six meteorological factors—monthly average maximum temperature,monthly average temperature,monthly average precipitation,monthly average wind speed,monthly average minimum temperature,and monthly average relative humidity—were all associated with respiratory failure in critically ill patients.Among these,monthly average maximum temperature and monthly average temperature showed strong correlations,monthly average precipitation showed a moderate correlation,and the others showed weak correlations.Conclusion The incidence of respiratory failure among critically ill patients exhibits distinct seasonal patterns,potentially influenced by various meteorological factors.Identifying the primary meteorological risk factors affecting the onset of respiratory failure in different seasons can provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention,control,and treatment of such cases in the emergency department.This understanding is crucial for optimizing patient management strategies and enhancing treatment outcomes and prognosis.