[Fever of unknown origin: 1. Etiology. A prospective multicenter study of 164 patients].
BACKGROUND
The spectrum of fever of unknown origin seems to be determined by geographic and economic factors, and it appears to change in time. Excepting a small retrospective study, no other study on fever of unknown origin has been performed in Central or Eastern Europe.


METHODS
A multicenter cohort study was carried out on 164 consecutive patients who met the classic, modified criteria of fever of unknown origin. The study lasted 2 years (1997-1998) and included a follow-up period of another 2 years.


METHODS
The final diagnosis at the end of follow-up.


RESULTS
74 (45%) patients had infections (tuberculosis: 27 patients, 16%), 41 patients (25%) had neoplasms, 30 (18%) had non-infectious inflammatory diseases, three (2%) drug fever, and four (2%) other causes. The etiology remained obscure for 12 patients (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Infections represent the most important etiology, among them predominating tuberculosis.
Băicuş
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Clinical Medicală, Spitalul Colentina Bucureşti, Unitatea de Cercetare Clinică RECIF (Réseau d'Epidémiologie Clinique International Francophone) Bucureşti.
Boloşiu
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HD
Tănăsescu
C
C
Băicuş
Anda
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology