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[Hypothermia in the elderly in the Negev]
1Dept. of Family Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba.
Harefuah
|December 15, 1994
Summary
Hypothermia in the elderly is a serious medical emergency. This study found infections, renal failure, and diabetes were common in older adults with hypothermia in Israel
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Environmental Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypothermia in the elderly is a critical medical emergency with high mortality rates (32-80%).
- Commonly reported risk factors include advanced age, cold environments, and alcoholism.
- The Negev region of Israel experiences distinct temperature variations throughout the year.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, predisposing factors, and demographic characteristics of elderly patients admitted with hypothermia in the Negev region.
- To assess the prevalence of associated medical conditions in this population.
- To determine if specific ethnic groups are at increased risk.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for all patients aged 65 and above admitted with hypothermia between 1984 and 1988.
- Data collected included patient demographics, admission season, and associated or predisposing conditions.
- Analysis of incidence rates based on the served population.
Main Results:
- A total of 44 admissions (39 patients) were identified over the 5-year period, with 34 occurring during winter.
- Key associated conditions were infections (54.5%), renal failure (29.5%), and diabetes mellitus (29.5%). Alcoholism was less frequent (13.6%).
- Patients of Asian or African origin represented a disproportionately higher percentage of admissions (73%) compared to their population representation (47%).
Conclusions:
- Hypothermia is a significant health concern among the elderly in the Negev desert region, not as rare as might be expected.
- Infections, renal failure, and diabetes are major contributing factors in elderly hypothermia cases in this area.
- Ethnic origin appears to be a risk factor for hypothermia in the elderly population of the Negev.
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