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KMID : 1150320090050020137
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Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery
2009 Volume.5 No. 2 p.137 ~ p.141
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The Analysis of Fever in Elderly Patients Admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit
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Choi Young-Su
Eom Ki-Seong
Shin Sae-Ron
Kang Sung-Don
Kim Tae-Young
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Abstract
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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.
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KEYWORD
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Fever, Elderly, Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Infection
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