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Disabling symptoms associated with increased axillary temperature in patients with functional hyperthermia
1Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare Narita Hospital, 852 Hatakeda, Narita, Chiba, 286-8520, Japan. okatakakazu@gmail.com.
Biopsychosocial Medicine
|March 26, 2024
Summary
Patients with functional hyperthermia (FH) experience disabling fatigue and other symptoms at temperatures around 37°C. These symptoms worsen even with slight temperature increases, impacting daily life.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Functional hyperthermia (FH) is characterized by disabling symptoms at near-normal body temperatures.
- Previous case reports suggest a link between mild temperature elevation and symptom severity in FH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and nature of disabling symptoms in patients with FH.
- To determine the specific body temperatures at which these symptoms become disabling.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 20 patients diagnosed with FH were surveyed.
- Participants reported disabling symptoms and the axillary temperatures at which they occurred.
Main Results:
- 80% of FH patients reported disabling symptoms linked to increased axillary temperature.
- Worsening fatigue was the most common symptom (75%), often occurring between 37.0°C and 37.4°C.
- Cognitive dysfunction, immobility, hot flashes, headache, dizziness, and anorexia were also reported.
Conclusions:
- Elevated body temperature, even within the 37.0°C-37.4°C range, significantly impacts FH patients.
- Fatigue is a primary disabling symptom for many FH patients at these temperatures.
- Standard antipyretic medications are largely ineffective for alleviating FH-associated symptoms.
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