Purpose

Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the influence of seasons on post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis incidences. This study aimed to investigate the seasonality associated with the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis, and to evaluate its association with climate variables in South Korea.

Setting

South Korea.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

The postoperative endophthalmitis incidences were identified using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claim data from July 2014 to June 2017. The monthly climate data were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. The incidences of endophthalmitis were analyzed by the month of the year, and by the season. The association between postoperative endophthalmitis and the climatic variables, including mean temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and hours of sunshine, was investigated.

Results

The incidences were the highest in July, and they were the most prevalent during the summer months, although fewer cataract surgeries were performed in the summer months than during the rest of the year. The postoperative endophthalmitis incidences tended to increase with increasing relative humidity and increasing precipitation.

Conclusions

The incidences of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis peaked during the hot and humid months. Understanding the seasonal and climatic influences on postoperative infection might help in risk stratification and outcome improvisation after the cataract surgery is performed.

中文翻译：

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韩国急性白内障术后眼内炎发病率的季节性变化

目的

先前的研究报道了不同季节对白内障术后眼内炎发生率的影响存在矛盾的结果。这项研究旨在调查与术后眼内炎发生率相关的季节性，并评估其与韩国气候变量的相关性。

设置

韩国。

设计

回顾性队列研究。

方法

使用2014年7月至2017年6月的健康保险审查与评估服务索赔数据确定了术后眼内炎的发病率。每月气候数据来自韩国气象局。按一年中的月份和季节分析眼内炎的发生率。研究了术后眼内炎与气候变量之间的关联，包括平均温度，相对湿度，降水和日照时间。

结果

尽管在夏季月份进行的白内障手术少于该年度的其余月份，但七月份的发病率最高，并且在夏季月份最为普遍。术后眼内炎的发生率倾向于随着相对湿度的增加和降水的增加而增加。

结论

白内障手术后眼内炎的发生在炎热和潮湿的月份达到高峰。了解白内障手术后季节性和气候对术后感染的影响可能有助于分层风险和即席即兴。