Impact of the full moon on psychiatric admissions and consultations in the emergency department: a retrospective analysis

Moultrie, GA

Introduction:

This retrospective study explores how the full moon and various lunar phases correlate to the frequency of emergency department (ED) psychiatric consultations and admissions. The idea that lunar cycles may influence human behavior has long been a subject of fascination and folklore. However, empirical evidence in the context of psychiatric presentations in the ED remains limited. There are some contradictory research studies on how the full moon impacts human health and behavior. Various studies suggest a connection between lunar phases and neurological, reproductive, endocrine, immunological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases, while other studies show no correlation between lunar phases and medical conditions. One research article speculates that one of the ways the moon could impact mental health is through the neurohormone release secondary to the electromagnetic radiation and the moon’s gravitational pull. Electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHRs) offer valuable resources for research that allow for the analysis of patient data to further elucidate if the full moon impacts the number of psychiatric admissions and consults in the emergency department.

Methods:

Electronic medical records from the Emergency Department at Colquitt Regional Medical Center spanning from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 will be analyzed to identify if there is a statistically significant increase in psychiatric admissions and consultations in the ED during a full moon. Data will be categorized according to various lunar phases, focusing on the full moon period, and randomly selected dates during the year. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, will be employed to examine the data. The results will then be analyzed to see if they are statistically significant (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses will also be performed to explore potential variations in specific psychiatric diagnoses and patient demographics.

Results:

While the data analysis is still pending, any trends or correlations between the full moon and psychiatric consultations in the ED could add to the body of research and prompt further investigation.

Discussion:

Future research with larger sample sizes and multi-center collaborations could provide more robust insights into the potential influence of the full moon on psychiatric presentations in emergency settings. Understanding such patterns may contribute to improved resource allocation and enhanced preparedness for heightened psychiatric demand in the emergency department during the full moon.