INFLUENCE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS IN THE INCIDENCE OF ADMISSIONS IN AN ACUTE ORTHOPAEDIC WARD IN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Aim: To test the hypothesis that the number of admissions in an orthopaedic trauma ward are related to weather conditions. Materials and Methods: Details of all admissions to the orthopaedic trauma ward over one complete year were retrieved from a computerised data base. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification. Meteorological data correlated with trauma admissions and data analysis using SPSS version 10.1 Results: Total number of admissions = 1390 [mean age: male=44.2, female=67.6 years]. Commonest fractures in descending order: neck of femur, distal tibia and distal humerus. Overall correlation: significantly +ve (p=0.013) with sunshine (more sunshine = more fractures) and significantly –ve (p=0.001) with rain (less rain = more fractures). 34.5% of admissions were non trauma related. Conclusion: Females were significantly older than men probably reflecting hazardous activities by younger males and the presence of osteopaenia in females. No significant monthly (seasonal) variations were seen. Influence of weather conditions: Proximal femoral fracture incidence increase with fall in temperature (freezing conditions does NOT further increase the risk) and rain (but NOT dependent on the amount of rain). The incidence of forearm & wrist fracture requiring inpatient treatment increases with rain (and is dependent on the amount of rain) and sunshine hours. A long term prospective study is required to further support the above findings if clinical trauma resources are to be planned based on predicted weather forecast.