Influence of prior illness on exertional heat stroke presentation and outcome

Precipitating factors that contribute to the severity of exertional heat stroke (EHS) are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of prior illness (PI) on EHS severity.

We performed a retrospective clinical record review of 179 documented cases of EHS at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia.

Approximately 30% of EHS cases had a medically documented PI. Anthropometrics (height, weight, body mass index) and commonly associated risk factors for EHS (age, number of days in training, wet bulb globe temperature, sleep patterns) did not differ between PI and no illness (NI) groups. PI patients presented with higher maximal rectal core temperatures (40.6 ± 1.0°C vs. 40.3 ± 1.2°C; P = 0.0419), and elevated pulse rates (118.1 ± 16.7 bpm vs. 110.5 ± 24.2 bpm; P = 0.0397). At the point of care, biomarker values were similar between PI and NI groups, with the exception of a trend toward elevated monocytes in those with PI (7.9 ± 2.9% vs 6.7± 2.7%; P = 0.0521). Rate and duration of cooling were similar between PI and NI patients.

This study indicates that PI has a minimal effect on the patient presentation, severity and treatment outcome of EHS. The results of this study have important implications for military, civilian, and occupational populations who are at risk for EHS.