The impact of ADL status, dementia and body mass index on normal body temperature in elderly nursing home residents

Abstract

A subset of seniors might demonstrate a lower body temperature compared with younger subjects. However, data on normal body temperature in seniors are sparse. The aim of the study was to study normal body temperature with a view of predicting factors of low body temperature in non-febrile seniors. Elderly women (n=159) and 78 men, aged > or =65 years, living in community resident homes were included in the study. Data on chronic diseases and medication were collected from medical records. Tympanic and rectal temperature was measured twice daily; once at 7-9 AM and then at 6-8 PM. In addition, body mass index (BMI), activities of daily living (ADL) status, as well as details regarding dementia and malnutrition were recorded. The variation in tympanic and rectal temperatures ranged from 33.8 to 38.4 degrees C and 35.6 to 38.0 degrees C, respectively. ADL status, dementia and BMI were significantly related to lower and analgesic to higher tympanic temperature. Dementia was significantly related to lower rectal temperature. Therefore, dementia, BMI, ADL status and analgesic shall not be overlooked when assessing temperature in seniors. More research is needed to further clarify the influence of these predictive factors, as well as the impact of BMI and malnutrition.