Incidence, etiology, and risk factors for fever following acute spinal cord injury

Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

J51918.

Journal:

Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine (JSCM) (formerly Journal of the American Paraplegia Society

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2006 , 29, 5, 501-506

Publication Website:

Abstract:

The medical records for both acute care and rehabilitation admissions over a 2-year period were retrospectively reviewed to identify the incidence, etiology, and risk factors for fevers in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The incidence of fever was 60.4 percent for acute care and 50 percent for rehabilitation. Respiratory and urinary tract were the most common identifiable fever etiologies. Unidentified etiologies were common and were associated with lower temperature elevation and shorter fever duration. Cause of injury and completeness of injury may comprise additional risk factors. These factors should be considered when initiating cost-efficient fever workup in individuals with SCI.

Author(s):

McKinley, W., McNamee, S., Meade, M., Abdul, N.