Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Mortality in elderly patients with thermoregulatory failure.

M R Kramer1, J Vandijk, A J Rosin

  • 1Geriatrics Department, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.

Archives of Internal Medicine
|July 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Thermoregulatory failure in elderly patients, often linked to sepsis, can occur even in warm weather. Prompt sepsis treatment is crucial due to the high mortality rate associated with hypothermia in seniors.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A "fat chance" it's malignant: lipoid pneumonia simulating lung cancer on PET scan.

BMJ case reports·2025
Same author

Variations in very preterm birth rates in 30 high-income countries: are valid international comparisons possible using routine data?

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2016
Same author

Effectiveness of Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin in Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction.

Transplantation proceedings·2016
Same author

Lobar distribution in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis predicts bacteriologic pathogen treatment.

European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology·2016
Same author

A global reference for caesarean section rates (C-Model): a multicountry cross-sectional study.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2015
Same author

Outbreak of autoimmune disease in silicosis linked to artificial stone.

Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2015

Area of Science:

  • Geriatrics
  • Internal Medicine
  • Critical Care

Background:

  • Thermoregulatory failure is a significant concern in the elderly population.
  • Hypothermia in older adults can be associated with various underlying medical conditions and medications.
  • The environmental temperature does not always correlate with the occurrence of hypothermia in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively evaluate elderly patients with thermoregulatory failure.
  • To identify common causes, associated conditions, and environmental factors contributing to hypothermia.
  • To analyze outcomes and mortality rates in this patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective evaluation of 54 elderly patients diagnosed with thermoregulatory failure.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of medical records to identify underlying causes, comorbidities, medications, and environmental factors.
  • Comparison of outcomes between patients presenting with hypothermia from outside versus within the hospital.

    • Main Results:

    • Sepsis was the most common cause (78%), followed by hypoproteinemia (50%), cachexia (30%), and neuroleptic medications (21%).
    • Digoxin toxicity was present in 20% of cases.
    • Hypothermia occurred in warm months (one-third) and in-hospital (half); out-of-hospital cases had lower temperatures, more bradycardia, hemoconcentration, and faster mortality.
    • Overall mortality was high (74%) and unaffected by age, sex, or hypothermia severity.

    Conclusions:

    • Thermoregulatory failure in the elderly can occur in any environment, not just cold climates.
    • Hypothermia in elderly patients warrants prompt evaluation and treatment for sepsis due to the high mortality risk.
    • Early diagnosis and management of underlying conditions are critical for improving prognosis.