C Băicuş1, H D Boloşiu, C Tănăsescu, Anda Băicuş. 1. Clinical Medicală, Spitalul Colentina Bucureşti, Unitatea de Cercetare Clinică RECIF (Réseau d'Epidémiologie Clinique International Francophone) Bucureşti.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The spectrum of fever of unknown origin seems to be determined by geographic and economic factors, and it appears to change in time. Excepting a small retrospective study, no other study on fever of unknown origin has been performed in Central or Eastern Europe. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was carried out on 164 consecutive patients who met the classic, modified criteria of fever of unknown origin. The study lasted 2 years (1997-1998) and included a follow-up period of another 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: The final diagnosis at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: 74 (45%) patients had infections (tuberculosis: 27 patients, 16%), 41 patients (25%) had neoplasms, 30 (18%) had non-infectious inflammatory diseases, three (2%) drug fever, and four (2%) other causes. The etiology remained obscure for 12 patients (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Infections represent the most important etiology, among them predominating tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND: The spectrum of fever of unknown origin seems to be determined by geographic and economic factors, and it appears to change in time. Excepting a small retrospective study, no other study on fever of unknown origin has been performed in Central or Eastern Europe. METHODS: A multicenter cohort study was carried out on 164 consecutive patients who met the classic, modified criteria of fever of unknown origin. The study lasted 2 years (1997-1998) and included a follow-up period of another 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: The final diagnosis at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: 74 (45%) patients had infections (tuberculosis: 27 patients, 16%), 41 patients (25%) had neoplasms, 30 (18%) had non-infectious inflammatory diseases, three (2%) drug fever, and four (2%) other causes. The etiology remained obscure for 12 patients (7%). CONCLUSIONS:Infections represent the most important etiology, among them predominating tuberculosis.