Cold Spells Increase Hospitalization Risk for Genitourinary Diseases

Background: Genitourinary diseases pose a significant public health burden with implications for morbidity and healthcare resource allocation. Poor understanding of environmental factors contributing to hospitalization rates hampers targeted prevention strategies. Existing literature has not sufficiently explored the impact of seasonal temperature variations on genitourinary disease hospitalization.

Method: This observational study analyzed hospitalization data over five years from 10 hospitals across regions affected by cold spells. The sample included 5,000 patients admitted for genitourinary conditions. Data were collected regarding temperature data and hospital admission rates, using a linear regression model to evaluate associations with adjustments for confounding variables.

Results: Findings indicated a 22% increase in hospitalization rates for genitourinary diseases during cold spell periods (P<0.01), compared to warm periods. Specifically, cold spells with daily temperatures below freezing (0°C) were associated with increased admissions (323 admissions vs. 265) across the studied population. Adverse effects were most pronounced among elderly patients aged 65 and above.

Conclusion: The study establishes a clear association between cold spells and increased hospitalizations for genitourinary diseases, supporting the need for public health interventions targeted at vulnerable populations. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating environmental health considerations into clinical risk assessments. However, limitations include the observational nature of the study and potential confounding factors that necessitate further research.

Original citation address: https://www.besjournal.com/en/article/doi/10.3967/bes2025.127