Hypothermia in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of medical records.


OBJECTIVE
To determine frequency and degree of hypothermic episodes in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Veterans Administration Medical Center.


METHODS
Research involved analysis of body temperature records of 50 chronic patients with tetraplegia. All patients were men with a length of injury of 19 +/- 6 years. Mean age was 53 +/- 15 (SD) years. Data were derived from the computerized patient record database system of the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Results were classified into 3 groups: (a) hypothermia (< 95 degrees F), (b) subnormal temperature (< 97.7 degrees F), and normal temperatures (97.7 degrees F to 98.4 degrees F). Body temperature was recorded during hospitalization (minimum duration of 30 days) using an oral probe twice a day. Ambient temperature was controlled by a central air-conditioning system and maintained at 72 degrees F to 74 degrees F.


RESULTS
A total of 867 measurements of body temperature were evaluated; normal temperature was recorded 298 times (35%), subnormal temperature was recorded 544 times (63%), and hypothermia was recorded 25 times (3%). There were 15 patients with 30 hypothermic episodes; subnormal temperature was found in all 50 patients from 1 to 47 times. Regression analysis of age and duration of SCI showed a nonsignificant relationship with body temperature.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that patients with tetraplegia after SCI have significant dysfunction of thermoregulation associated with frequent episodes of subnormal body temperature in a normal ambient environment. Further studies are needed to evaluate possible consequences of low temperatures on the general health of patients and to develop preventive interventions.
Khan
Sofia
S
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Plummer
Mary
M
Martinez-Arizala
Alberto
A
Banovac
Kresimir
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012768:Shivering / Q000502:physiology; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014728:Veterans