Sepsis associated with hypothermia can have a poor prognosis, and early recognition with aggressive management may improve outcomes. Wiewel et al identified risk factors for hypothermic sepsis. The authors are from the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
The diagnosis of hypothermic sepsis involves both of the following:
(1) sepsis
(2) body temperature < 36°C in the first 24 hour of ICU admission
The adjusted odds ratio for 90-day mortality was 2.1. Hypothermic sepsis is also associated with increased in-hospital mortality.
Risk factors for hypothermic sepsis:
(1) hypertension
(2) chronic cardiovascular disease
(3) low body mass index (BMI)
Hypothermia may reflect vascular dysfunction.
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