A retrospective study on heat-related mortality in an elderly population during the 2003 heat wave in Modena, Italy: the Argento project
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: 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.
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In Modena, Italy, older individuals with ADL deficiencies were more likely to succumb to the effects of the 2003 heat wave than those with no ADL deficiencies.
“A study conducted in Modena, Italy (Foroni, Salvioli, Rielli, Goldoni, Orlandi, Zauli, Guerzoni, Maccaferri, Daya, and Mussi 2007) demonstrated that older individuals with deficiencies in ADLs were more likely to succumb to the effects of the heat wave than those with no deficiencies in ADLs.”
From Successful aging: Advancing the science of physical independence in older adults (2015) · cites this paper as Foroni et al. 2007
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- Authors
- Foroni, M., Salvioli, G., Rielli, R., Goldoni, C. A., Orlandi, G., Sajani, S. Z., Guerzoni, A., Maccaferri, C., Daya, G., & Mussi, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Foroni, M.
- Venue
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2007-06-01
- Volume
- 62
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 647-651
- ISSN
- 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-535X
- OpenAlex
- W1963747526
- Cited by
- 54
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IRIS UNIMORE (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Keywords
- heat-related mortality, 2003 European heatwave, older adults, risk factors, nursing homes, home care support, comorbidities, disability, activities of daily living, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, frailty, Modena
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Cognition Disorders, Female, Persons with Disabilities, Health Services for the Aged, Home Care Services, Humans, Italy, Male, Nursing Homes, Patient Admission, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Seasons, Weather, Cohort Studies, Case-Control Studies, Frail Elderly, Survivors, Heat Stress Disorders, Polypharmacy
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