Introduction: The Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (BRF) is an essential tool in diagnosis and therapy of respiratory diseases. The occurrence of transient fever after BRF has been documented in some studies. Its meaning hasn't yet been clarified.
Aim: Determine the incidence of fever and bacteriemia in the 24 hours after BRF and identify its predictive factors.
Material and methods: Ninety one outpatients and forty hospitalised patients were prospectively studied in the 24h after BRF to assess the appearance of fever (T>38 masculine C) and positive hemocultures. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS and the significance was considered when pearson chi2 was < 0,005.
Results: Referring outpatients / hospitalised patients, 68% / 85% were males, 85% / 52,5% denied previous respiratory diseases, mean age was 54 +/- 16,5 years / 59 +/- 15,4 years, 38,5% / 55% were smokers. Transient fever was observed in 12% / 12,5% patients. Positive hemocultures were found in four patients (3 outpatients and 1 hospitalised). None hospitalised patients showed radiological changes, in 7,5% cases white blood cells count rised >50%. We didn't found statistically significant association between appearance of fever after BRF and age, dental caries, smoking habits, systemic disease, presence of endoscopic lesions and endoscopic techniques performed.
Conclusion: Transient fever following BRF is a common event and in majority of cases is not associated with bacteriemia. No statistical significant association was found between fever event and any of the studied factors.