The influence of the full moon on the number of admissions related to gastrointestinal bleeeding

Author: E.M. Roman, G. Soriano, M. Fuentes, M.L. Gailvez, C. Fernandez
Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyse whether the number of admissions for gastrointestinal bleeding to our bleeding unit increases during the full moon. In a propsective study, we included 447 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal haemorrhage admitted to our bleeding unit during a period of two years. The number of admissions was allocated to the corresponding day of the lunar cycle, and full moon and non-full moon days were compared. A wide variation in the number of admissions throughout the lunar cycle was observed. There were 26 admissions on the 25 days of full moon and 421 admissions in the remainng 713 days of non-full moon. This difference was mainly related to a higher incidence of haemorrhage in men and variceal haemorrhage at full moon. The results of this study suggest an increase in the number of admissions related to gastrointestinal haemorrhage in our bleeding unit during the full moon, especially in men and in patients experiencing variceal haemorrhoage. However, the wide variation in the number of admissions throughout the lunar cycle could limit interpretation of the results. Therefore, further studies are needed to clariy the possible influence of the moon on gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
Keywords: moon, bleeding, lunar cycle, patients, hospital admissions, haemorrhage, gastro-intestinal, new moon
Notes:
Publication: International Journal of Nursing Practice
Issue: 10 (6)
Dated: Dec. 2004
Pages: 292-296