[The significance of body temperature, sedimentation, C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and differential for the diagnosis of infections in an internal medicine emergency department].
The value of body temperature, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and differentiation for the diagnosis of infections in patients in the first aid department of internal medicine, was investigated. Forty-six infections were observed in 260 patients (prevalence 18%). Patients with fever had a fourfold increased chance to have an infection. In a patient with fever and an increased ESR the chance to have an infection was 91%, with fever and a normal ESR 33%. In the absence of fever the chance to have an infection was 14% if the ESR was increased and 7% if normal. White blood cell count and differentiation, like C-reactive protein in addition to body temperature were of no use for the diagnosis of infections.
van den Broek
P J
PJ
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Infectieziekten, Leiden.
Radder
A M
AM
Hermans
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001831:Body Temperature; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands
D002097:C-Reactive Protein
De betekenis van lichaamstemperatuur, bezinking, C-reactief proteïne, leukocytenaantal en -differentiatie voor de diagnostiek van infecties op een eerstehulpafdeling voor inwendige geneeskunde.