| The Analysis of Fever in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit |
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Young Su Choi1 , Ki Seong Eom1 , Sae Ron Shin2, Sung Don Kang1 , Tae Young Kim1 |
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Department of Neurosurgery1, and Family Medicine2, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea |
| 신경외과 중환자실에 입원한 노인 환자의
발열에 관한 분석 |
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최용수1ㆍ엄기성1ㆍ신새론2ㆍ강성돈1ㆍ김태영1 |
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원광대학교 의과대학 신경외과학교실1, 가정의학과교실2 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
Fever occurs commonly in elderly patients admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In our study, we aimed
to analyze the causes of fever and the prognosis of febrile patients in the NICU.
Methods
From November 2008 to July 2009, we analyzed 121 elderly patients over the age of 65 years admitted to the NICU in a retrospective
method and studied the factor which could affect the fever. Clinical characteristics between the febrile and non-febrile groups, cause
of fever, fever in relation to initial consciousness level, comparison between long (≥5 days) and short (<5 days) duration of fever and
mortality rate were analyzed.
Results
Fever was present in 24.8% patients of admission. The most common cause of fever was infection (90%). There were no significant
differences in clinical characteristics between the febrile and non-febrile group, initial consciousness level, duration of fever,
and mortality. NICU hospitalization period was significantly influenced by occurrence and duration of fever.
Conclusion
Infection, particularly including pneumonia is most common cause of fever in elderly patients admitted to the NICU. Therefore,
the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases can be one of the most important factors in prognosis of elderly patients
with fever in NICU. |
| Key Words:
FeverㆍElderlyㆍNeurosurgical Intensive Care UnitㆍInfection |
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