Clinical cosmobiology: the Lithuanian study 1990-1992

Int J Biometeorol. 1995 May;38(4):204-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01245390.

Abstract

The numbers of deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke (CVA), all accidents except vehicular, vehicular accidents and suicide (overall total, totals for men and women) per month for 36 months (1990-1992) in Lithuania were analysed in relation to: (1) month of the year (1-12); (2) geomagnetic activity; and (3) solar activity. A total of 122227 deaths (64490 men and 57737 women) was studied, and the results compared with those obtained in an earlier study in Israel, differing geographically and climatically from Lithuania. It was shown that the time of year, solar activity, and geomagnetic activity were related to the monthly death distribution, especially regarding death from IHD and suicide. Age and gender differences were apparent in the relationship between death distribution and physical environmental factors. At age > 70 years, many of these relationships change. The monthly distribution of deaths from IHD and suicide are adversely correlated with solar activity and with each other. Differences are presumed in serotoninergic effects as caused by environmental influences.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Accidents / mortality*
  • Accidents, Traffic / mortality*
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / mortality*
  • Climate
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Lithuania / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Myocardial Ischemia / mortality*
  • Probability
  • Seasons*
  • Sex Differentiation
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Weather*