[Influence of body temperature on outcome of head injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of body temperature on the outcome of head injuries.


METHODS
The data of body temperature and outcomes of patients with head injuries admitted to Tiantan Hospital between July 1997 and July 1999 was analyzed retrospectively. The admission temperature was divided into 4 groups: hypo-temperature (with body temperature < 36 degrees C), normal temperature (36.0 degrees C approximately 37.2 degrees C), mild hyper-temperature (37.3 degrees C approximately 38.3 degrees C) and significant hyper-temperature (> 38.3 degrees C). Appraisal was made at discharge and one year later using GOS criteria (grade 1 approximately 2 were regarded as unfavorable prognosis, and grades 3 approximately 5 as favorable prognosis). Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS statistic software.


RESULTS
The outcome of the patients with significant high admission temperature and hypo-temperature was unfavorable. The difference between different temperature groups, except the hypo-temperature group and significant high temperature group, was significant (P < 0.01). The higher admission temperature means less favorable outcome. The outcome of the hypo-temperature and hyper-temperature groups was less favorable than that of the normal temperature group (P < 0.01). The difference in the 15 factors such as temperature, age, etc, between the group with favorable prognosis and the group with unfavorable prognosis (P < 0.01). However, the difference in hemoglobin and hematocrit between the group with favorable prognosis and the group with unfavorable prognosis was unsignificant. The value of B at discharge and 1 year after injury were -0.809 and -1.104 respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The admission body temperature can be used as an independent predictor for prognosis of head injuries. The low- and the high temperature predict the worse outcome. The higher the body temperature is, the less favorable the outcome. Admission body temperature has a significant influence on the outcome of head injuries.
Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing 100050 China.
Xinru
X
Xiao
Jizong
J
Zhao
Jingsheng
J
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001831:Body Temperature; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis