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1133 – Association Between Seismicity And Mental Health: Crete, 2008–2010

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

M. Basta ,
G. Anagnostopoulos ,
Z. Stefanakis ,
V. Vassiliadis ,
A. Rigas ,
S. Koutsomitros ,
G. Papadopoulos ,
C. Panierakis  and
A.N. Vgontzas
M. Basta
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heraklion - Crete, Heraklion
G. Anagnostopoulos
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi
Z. Stefanakis
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heraklion - Crete, Heraklion
V. Vassiliadis
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi
A. Rigas
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi
S. Koutsomitros
Affiliation:
Medical Psychotherapeutic Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
G. Papadopoulos
Affiliation:
Electrical and Computer Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Xanthi
C. Panierakis
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heraklion - Crete, Heraklion
A.N. Vgontzas
Affiliation:
Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heraklion - Crete, Heraklion

Abstract

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Introduction

Several investigations have shown the influence of environmental factors, i.e. seismic activity on human health. However, no studies have focused on the effect of earthquakes on mental health. Crete is located within a rectangular region at the boundaries of Eurasian and African tectonic plates with high seismicity.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of seismic activity on mental health.

Aim

To explore possible association between seismic activity and rates of hospital admissions of psychotic patients.

Methods

We compared the seismic activity (EQs with magnitude M>2) in a geographical area of Crete, and admissions to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit/ University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete during the years 2008–2010.

Results

Our analysis showed (1) a very low rate of admissions of psychotic patients suffering from acute psychotic disorders, during the period with several great (M>6.4) and middle (4.5< M< 6.4) magnitude period earthquakes (EQs), (2) an increasing trend of admissions of acute psychotic disorders during a period with increasing number of relatively small EQs(r=0.667; p< 0.001), (3) a correlation between the number of total monthly admissions and the number of M>2 EQs.

Conclusions

It appears that strong EQs have a protective effect on the relapse of major psychiatric disorders, whereas small EQs are associated with an increasing number of relapses. We hypothesized that the beneficial/adverse effects are related to anomalous electric fields/Extra Low Frequency (ELF)-Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) emissions.

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 28 , Issue S1: Abstracts of the 21th European Congress of Psychiatry , 2013 , 28-E520
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2013
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