Fever as a Predictor of COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous questions have arisen regarding the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of infected patients. Among these, screening infected patients through body temperature measurement has proven ineffective. However, doubts persist regarding the role of fever as a prognostic factor in the disease.

To assess the prevalence of fever and its relevance as a marker of mortality in COVID-19.

This prospective and longitudinal cohort study was conducted between April 2020 and December 2021 and analyzed 1400 COVID-19 patients systematically admitted to the emergency department of a reference hospital during the period from April 2020 to December 2021, in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. [LG1] The study evaluated [LG2] the presence of fever (body temperature above 37,7ºC) upon admission and/or during hospitalization, patient profiles, and outcomes (in-hospital death, discharge, admission at the intensive care unit, need of mechanical ventilation).

Fever was present in 128 participants (9.1%), with a higher prevalence in males (71%) and obese individuals (42.9%). Among the febrile patients, 39 required intubation (30.4%), with two intubated upon admission (1.5%), 104 were discharged (81.2%), and 24 deceased (18.7%). Fever was not associated with a higher mortality rate.

Fever showed low prevalence, is more common in males and obese individuals, and is not related to worse clinical outcomes.