@article{ref1,
title="A retrospective study on heat-related mortality in an elderly population during the 2003 heat wave in Modena, Italy: the Argento project",
journal="Journals of gerontology. Series A: Biological sciences and medical sciences",
year="2007",
author="Foroni, Micaela and Salvioli, Gianfranco and Rielli, Rita and Goldoni, Carlo Alberto and Orlandi, Giuliano and Sajani, SZ and Guerzoni, Andrea and Maccaferri, Cristina and Daya, Ghassan and Mussi, Chiara",
volume="62",
number="6",
pages="647-651",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Summer 2003 witnessed an excess in heat-related mortality in the elderly population. The Argento Project was planned to define risk factors for heat-related death in Modena, Italy, during the hottest month of 2003 (August). METHODS: We performed a retrospective, case-control study of a cohort of 394 older persons living in Modena, 197 dead (cases) and 197 survivors (controls). A questionnaire to collect information about demographic, social, environmental, and clinical characteristics and about causes of death was completed. RESULTS: Cases were more likely to be living in a nursing home and needing assistance (p =.024, and p <.001, respectively). Survivors were living on higher level floors (p =.046). Spending the summer in Modena was significantly related to poor outcomes (p <.01). A higher number of cases were using public health services (p <.001). Individuals who died had a greater degree of comorbidity and dependence (p <.001); they were cognitively impaired (p <.001), took a larger number of drugs (p <.001), and had a greater number of hospital admissions (p <.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients who spent the summer in Modena had a higher mortality. Other predictors of death were the use of home public-integrated assistance, a higher comorbidity and a higher degree of disability; the loss of at least 1 Activity of Daily Living (ADL) represents the strongest risk factor of heat-related death. CONCLUSIONS: /b>. Our study identifies the major risk factors of heat-related death in the elderly population. With the creation of an up-to-date database, when a new heat wave will come, it will be possible to identify frail persons for preventive targeted strategies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1079-5006",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}