Table 3.
Comparison of temperature curve characteristics and abnormal white blood cell counta
| Characteristics | Septic patients (n = 32) |
Control patients (n = 29) |
Odds ratiob (95% CI) |
P | Adjusted odds ratioc (95% CI) |
P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abnormal temperature pattern noted by majority of observers, n (%) | 22 (68.8) | 7 (24.1) | 6.91 (2.23, 21.45) |
.001 | 4.43 (1.31, 15.00) |
.017 |
| Maximum temperature (°C), mean (± SD) | 37.8 (0.5) | 37.4 (0.3) | 5.85 (1.65, 20.8) |
.006 | 3.43 (0.84, 14.03) |
.087 |
| Minimum temperature (°C), mean (± SD) | 36.2 (0.4) | 36.2 (0.2) | 1.00 (0.22, 4.56) |
.99 | 0.61 (0.10, 3.59) |
.58 |
| Greatest change in temperature within any 24-hour period (°C), mean (± SD) | 1.5 (0.5) | 1.1 (0.3) | 10.95 (2.25, 53.35) |
.003 | 6.81 (1.35, 34.25) |
.02 |
| Abnormal WBC count (<4,000/μl or >12,000/μl), n (%) | 17 (53.1%) | 15 (51.7%) | 1.05 (0.39, 2.89) |
.91 | 1.58 (0.51, 4.96) |
.43 |
aCI, confidence interval; IQR, 25% to 75% interquartile range; SD, standard deviation. bUnivariate analysis using each temperature characteristic as the independent variable. cMultivariate analysis using trauma, requirement for ventilation and temperature characteristic as independent variables. Reported odds ratios are adjusted for all variables in the model.