Classical fever of unknown origin (FUO): current causes in Mexico.
BACKGROUND
Causes of FUO change according to medical innovations, modifications of social circumstances, and emerging health risks. Aim. To describe the epidemiology of classical FUO, the time and procedures to achieve a definitive diagnosis, and to underline the variables useful in distinguishing FUO categories. Setting. A third-referral center in Mexico City.


METHODS
Patients admitted with prolonged fever were evaluated. Clinical charts of patients with classical FUO were assessed; comparisons between classical FUO categories were made.


RESULTS
45 patients with 44.9 +/- 17.2 years of age, previous fever duration of 51.2 +/- 51.5 days, and 88.9% referred from other hospitals were evaluated. Nineteen patients had infectious causes; eight, neoplastic conditions; 12, inflammatory non-infectious diseases; one had another cause, and five were discharged with no etiologic diagnosis. Age, LDH levels, length of fever, and weight loss greater than 10 kg may be used to classify patients into a definite category.


CONCLUSIONS
Classical FUO is an unusual presentation of frequent infectious diseases; SLE is the main cause within the inflammatory non-infectious conditions, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is the first cause of cancer. Some clinical and laboratory clues may be used to guide the study work up of patients with classical FUO.
Arce-Salinas
César Alejandro
CA
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Central Sur de Petróleos Mexicanos. caarces@sm.pemex.com
Morales-Velázquez
José Luis
JL
Villaseñor-Ovies
Pablo
P
Muro-Cruz
Daniel
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation
D015415:Biomarkers; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase