The influence of different fever definitions on the rate of fever in neutropenia diagnosed in children with cancer

Ammann, Roland; Teuffel, Marc Oliver; Agyeman, Philipp; Amport, Nadine; Leibundgut, Kurt (2015). The influence of different fever definitions on the rate of fever in neutropenia diagnosed in children with cancer. PLoS ONE, 10(2), e0117528. Public Library of Science 10.1371/journal.pone.0117528

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BACKGROUND

The temperature limit defining fever (TLDF) is based on scarce evidence. This study aimed to determine the rate of fever in neutropenia (FN) episodes additionally diagnosed by lower versus standard TLDF.

METHODS

In a single center using a high TLDF (39.0°C tympanic temperature, LimitStandard), pediatric patients treated with chemotherapy for cancer were observed prospectively. Results of all temperature measurements and CBCs were recorded. The application of lower TLDFs (LimitLow; range, 37.5°C to 38.9°C) versus LimitStandard was simulated in silicon, resulting in three types of FN: simultaneous FN, diagnosed at both limits within 1 hour; earlier FN, diagnosed >1hour earlier at LimitLow; and additional FN, not diagnosed at LimitStandard.

RESULTS

In 39 patients, 8896 temperature measurements and 1873 CBCs were recorded during 289 months of chemotherapy. Virtually applying LimitStandard resulted in 34 FN diagnoses. The predefined relevantly (≥15%) increased FN rate was reached at LimitLow 38.4°C, with total 44 FN, 23 simultaneous, 11 earlier, and 10 additional (Poisson rate ratioAdditional/Standard, 0.29; 95% lower confidence bound, 0.16). Virtually applying 37.5°C as LimitLow led to earlier FN diagnosis (median, 4.5 hours; 95% CI, 1.0 to 20.8), and to 53 additional FN diagnosed. In 51 (96%) of them, spontaneous defervescence without specific therapy was observed in reality.

CONCLUSION

Lower TLDFs led to many additional FN diagnoses, implying overtreatment because spontaneous defervescence was observed in the vast majority. Lower TLDFs led as well to relevantly earlier diagnosis in a minority of FN episodes. The question if the high TLDF is not only efficacious but as well safe remains open.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Paediatric Medicine

UniBE Contributor:

Ammann, Roland, Teuffel, Marc Oliver, Agyeman, Philipp Kwame Abayie, Leibundgut, Kurt

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

1932-6203

Publisher:

Public Library of Science

Language:

English

Submitter:

Anette van Dorland

Date Deposited:

22 Mar 2016 11:03

Last Modified:

02 Mar 2023 23:27

Publisher DOI:

10.1371/journal.pone.0117528

PubMed ID:

25671574

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.79306

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/79306

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