[The effect of atmospheric variables on mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in those over 65 in the Community of Madrid].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of environmental variables on daily mortality, due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, in the C.M. from 1986 to 1991.

METHODOLOGY

The environmental and mortality variables are correlated between cold and heat effects, checking the possible coincidence of models between temperature and mortality by Box-Jenkins models. The filtered mortality is correlated to the daily average temperatures, for 0-15 lags.

RESULTS

The minimum daily mortality is produced in an average temperature of 23.9 degrees. There exists a correlation (p < 0.001) between cold temperature and all the mortality causes in the 15 analysed lags. A correlation (p < 0.01) to vascular diseases appears with hot temperature and, among them, with cerebrovascular accidents (ACVA) in women for 0-3 lags.

CONCLUSIONS

Cold temperatures increase the mortality for all the analysed lags and causes. The heat produces immediate effects on the mortality by ACVA in women.