Unexplained fever in the ED: analysis of 139 patients.
This study examined consecutive patients with unexplained fever (UF) presenting to the ED to define their characteristics and to compare distinctive parameters between admitted and discharged patients. During a 3-month period, all adult patients presenting to the ED with UF were prospectively followed for 1 month. Of 139 patients with UF, 58 patients (42%) were admitted to the hospital, whereas 81 patients (58%) were discharged. Whereas most of the discharged patients had self-limited febrile disease and eventually recovered, the admitted patients had more unresolved fever, serious infections, or systemic diseases and a 5% mortality rate. The admitted patients were older, had more comorbidity, higher leukocyte count, and anemia, but not a higher degree of fever. Older age, comorbidity, leukocytosis, and anemia, but not higher degree of fever, should direct the decision toward admission of a patient with UF.
Gur
Hanan
H
Department of Medicine C, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel. hanang@tasmc.health.gov.il
Aviram
Ronen
R
Or
Jacob
J
Sidi
Yechezkel
Y
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents