A comparison on the ratio of deaths from cardiovascular disease on holidays and working days at Ali-ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2010-2014

Background: Every year, eating, exercise, work, and travel patterns change during the holidays and these behavioral changes at a larger scale may cause death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Considering the importance of CVD, the present study was conducted for the first time in Iran to determine the differences in the ratio of deaths due to CVD on holidays and working days. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. The study population consisted of all hospitalized cases of CVD in the city of Rafsanjan, Iran, during the years 2010-2014. Data on individuals were collected through electronic systems available at Ali-ibn Abi Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan. Holidays were specified using the official Iranian calendar and the number of deaths caused by CVD on holidays and working days were extracted. Finally, the collected data were entered into SPSS software and were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression model. Results: Within 5 years, about 11124 cases of hospitalizations due to CVD were studied. Among the total hospitalized cases, 993 deaths were reported. Of these cases of death 3.5% occurred on Iranian New Year holidays, 4.5% on Islamic and National holidays, 11.5% on Fridays and 80.5% on the ordinary days of the year (P< 0.001). The results of logistic regression model have revealed that after considering the effects of other variables the odds ratio of death due to CVD was 1.913, 1.477 and 1.572 respectively in Iranian New Year holidays, Islamic and National holidays and Fridays compared with the ordinary days of the year. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the holidays in Iran may have an additive effect in relation to deaths from cardiovascular disease.