Temperature Effects on Chronic Lithium Toxicity in Arizona

Abstract

Specific Aim: To examine the relationship between environmental temperature and the frequency of patients reporting chronic lithium toxicity to emergency departments in Arizona. Methods: This study is a retrospective study that analyzed chronic lithium toxicity cases reported to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (AZPDIC) via their database Toxsentry. The cases were screened for month and year of patient arrival, serum lithium levels, age, county, symptoms, outcome and pertinent lab markers such as sodium and serum creatinine levels upon arrival. Average ambient temperatures were collected corresponding to month, year, and county via the National Weather Service. Main Results: Chart reviews allowed for 116 patient cases to be included in the analysis. Average age of patients was 51.5 (14.39) years. Average temperature of Arizona was 65.65°F where the collected temperatures were 67.8°F (15.51). The Chi-square test based on the month did not prove to be significant with p=0.25 for 95%. On the other hand, the ambient temperature was found to be statistically significant with p<0.05. Conclusions: There is a correlation between increasing ambient temperatures and frequency of lithium toxicity; however, time of the year does not appear to be correlated with the frequency of Lithium toxicity.