The variation of body temperature response and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with age was investigated. A cross-sectional study on new outpatients between January 2004 and June 2005 was carried out. Body temperature and serum CRP levels were examined for screening purposes in 1081 patients. Mean axillary body temperature was maintained at around 36.7°C in early adulthood, and gradually declined in middle age. Middle-aged and elderly outpatients tended to show a lower body temperature response than the young, even with the same CRP levels. The critical age (boundary age) was assumed to be when the relationship between body temperature response and CRP level changed. This study suggests that the boundary age is about 40 years old.
ShannFMackenzieA: Comparison of rectal, axillary, and forehead temperatures. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med1996; 150: 74–78.
2.
YooDSKimDSParkCK: Significance of temperature difference between cerebral cortex and axilla in patients under hypothermia management. Acta Neurochir Suppl2002; 81: 85–87.
3.
FoxRHWoodwardPMExton-SmithAN: Body temperature in the eldery: A national study of physiological, social, and environmental conditions. Br Med J1973; 1: 200–206.
4.
CollinsKJExton-SmithANDoreC: Urban hypothermia: Preferred temperature and thermal perception in old ageBr Med J1981; 17: 175–181.
5.
WagnerJARobinsonSMarinoRP: Age and temperature regulation of humans in neutral and cold environments. J Appl Physiol1974; 37: 562–565.
6.
GovaertThMEDinantGJAretzK: The predictive value of influenza symptomatology in elderly people. Family Pract1998; 15: 16–22.
7.
SeppaYBloiguAHonkanenPO: Severity assessment of lower respiratory tract infection in elderly patients in primary care. Arch Intern Med2001; 161: 2709–2713.
8.
MoutonCPBazalduaOVPierceB: Common infection in older adults. Am Fam Physician2001; 63: 257–268.
9.
SmithRPLipworthBJ: C-reactive protein in simple community-acquired pneumoniaChest1995; 107: 1028–1031.
10.
RaitakariMMansikkaniemiKMarniemiJ: Distribution and determinants of serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein in a population of young adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. J Intern Med2005; 258: 428–434.
11.
SaitoIYonemasuKInamiF: Association of body mass index, body fat, and weight gain with inflammation markers among rural residents in Japan. Circ J2003; 67: 323–329.
12.
KoenigWPepysMB: C-reactive protein risk prediction: Low specificity, high sensitivity. Ann Intern Med2002; 136: 550–552.
13.
RidkerPMHennekensCHBuringJE: C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation in the prediction of cardiovascular disease in women. N Eng J Med2000; 342: 836–843.
14.
PearsonTAMensahGAAlexanderRW: Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: Application to clinical and public health practice: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association. Circulation2003; 107: 499–511.
15.
LevanderMSForsbergCWahrenLK: Normal oral, rectal, tympanic and axillary body temperature in adult men and women: A systematic literature review. Scand J Caring Sci2002; 16: 122–128.
16.
DinarelloCA: Infection, fever, and exogenous and endogenous pyrogens: Some concepts have changed. J Endotoxin Res2004; 10: 201–222.
17.
ContiBTabareanIAndreiC: Cytokines and fever. Front Biosci2004; 9: 1433–1449.
18.
Grubeck-LoebensteinBWickG: The aging of the immune system. Adv Immunol2002; 80: 248–290.
19.
BoureeP: Immunity and immunization in elderlyPathol Biol2003; 51: 581–585.
20.
FagnoniFVescoviniRPasseriG: Shortage of circulating naïve CD8(+) T cells provides new insights on immumodeficiency in aging. Blood2000; 95: 2860–2868.
21.
HattaYTakeuchiJOhshimaT: Analysis of 20-year follow up study of LVP regimen for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int J Hematol2001; 74: 157–164.
