Impact of seasonal and meteorological factors on the incidence of adhesive small bowel obstruction: A large-scale study using a national inpatient database.

Aim: Whether seasonal and meteorological factors affect the incidence of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the impacts of seasonal and meteorological factors on the occurrence of ASBO.

Methods: Clinical data of patients with ASBO were acquired from 42 national university hospitals in Japan, using a national inpatient database, between April 2012 and March 2020. Meteorological data were obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The number of monthly admissions of patients with ASBO was compared between each of the 12 months. Daily weather variables were investigated to clarify their association with ASBO patient admissions on a total of 119 802 days (Formula for calculation: study period [2922 days] ×41 cities).

Results: Overall, 4985 patients with ASBO were admitted. The number of admissions in June was smaller than that in October, November, and December (39 vs 63.5,  = .002, 39 vs 65,  = .004, and 39 vs 59.5,  = .002, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that January, October, November, and December were associated with increased risk of admission compared to June (odds ratio [OR], 1.264;  = .001; OR, 1.454;  < .001; OR, 1.408;  < .001; OR, 1.330;  < .001), respectively. Regarding the weather variables, higher barometric pressure and lower humidity were associated with increased risk of admission (OR, 1.011;  < .001 and OR, 0.995;  < .001), respectively.

Conclusion: The incidence of ASBO is susceptible to barometric pressure and humidity and varies monthly. These results can contribute to the prevention, early detection, and immediate and appropriate management of ASBO.