Seasonal variation in acute intestinal vasculopathy mortality in France.

Abstract

Seasonal and circadian rhythms are observed in cardiovascular diseases. Seasonal variation in acute intestinal vasculopathy has never been investigated. This report describes the seasonal variation of acute intestinal vasculopathy mortality in the French population. All deaths that occurred among French adults over the period 1987-1996 (N = 20,830) for acute intestinal vasculopathy (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 557.0) were examined retrospectively. Cumulated monthly averages were expressed as the percentage above or below the average monthly value during the entire study period. Deaths for acute intestinal vasculopathy peaked in January (15% above the trend), and were lowest in July (11% below the trend), both in the overall population (Roger's test: p < 0.001) and in subgroups defined by age (>69 yr old) and sex. Compared to other subgroups, the >90 yr old individuals had a higher incidence of acute intestinal vasculopathy with a greater amplitude of seasonal variation (p < 0.001). Awareness of higher risk during winter would help to reduce the high mortality from acute intestinal vasculopathy. A better understanding of this seasonal pattern would allow practitioners to improve early diagnosis and treatment.