Heatstroke: a multicenter study in Southwestern China

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Clinical Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Increased heatstroke incidence in southwest China during 2022 linked to global warming and abnormal temperatures.
• Significant rise in heatstroke patients with organ dysfunction observed.
• Urgent need for standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• Analyze the epidemiology of heatstroke patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Evaluate clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with heatstroke.
• Provide data to support standardized diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicenter, descriptive analysis of heatstroke patients in ICUs across 83 hospitals.
• Data collected from electronic medical records, including demographics, symptoms, complications, and treatments.
• Analysis focused on epidemiological factors, clinical presentation, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Study population comprised primarily classic heatstroke cases, with a median age of 72 years.
• Common initial symptoms included fever, altered mental status, and syncope.
• Neurological symptoms at presentation were associated with a 2.38 times higher risk of ICU mortality (p=0.017).
• A high proportion of patients (487/700) developed infections, mainly lower respiratory tract infections.

Conclusions:

• Classical heatstroke was predominant in southwest China in 2022.
• Infections acquired during ICU admission are a significant concern for heatstroke patients.
• Heatstroke can lead to various severe complications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive management.