Extreme Heat Increases Mental Disorder ED Visits, Especially for Young Men

Extreme high temperatures significantly increased emergency department (ED) visits for mental disorders. The relative risk (RR) for anxiety-related visits was 2.25 at extremely high temperatures, with men aged 20-39 showing a higher risk (RR 4.02) than women (RR 1.65).

Researchers analyzed National Emergency Department Information System data from 2015-2021 in Korea to examine the link between extreme ambient temperatures and ED visits for common mental disorders. They used a case-time series design, stratifying risks by age and sex.

The abstract focuses on findings; it does not give personal how-to steps.

This case-time series analysis used National Emergency Department Information System data from 2015-2021 in Korea, encompassing 1,351,463 ED visits for mental disorders. The study considered a lag period of 0-5 days for ambient temperature and air pollution. Risk estimates at extreme low temperatures were generally imprecise, except for specific cases not detailed in the abstract.