TY - JOUR AU - Renny Issac, AU - Muraly CP, AU - Swathy S, AU - Sudhiraj TS, AU - Ravindran Chirukandath, PY - 2021/07/09 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Etiology and Outcome of Fever of Unknown Origin in a tertiary care center in South India-A prospective study JF - International Journal of Health and Clinical Research JA - Int. J. Heal. Clin. Res. VL - 4 IS - 12 SE - Articles DO - UR - https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/1962 SP - 293-297 AB - <p>Background:Fever is a common symptom for which patient seeks medical attention. Globally, and especially in developing countries, Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The pattern of fever has apparently changed over the years, though there are no data available in this regard. There is a perception of change in patterns among treating physicians. The present study aims at finding out the different etiology and factors causing delay in diagnosis should be identified and overcome to improve outcome of FUO.Materials and Methods:Consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of FUO admitted in the Department of General Medicine,Govt. Medical College Thrissur are enrolled into the study. The clinical and investigation findings and outcome were recorded in a proforma for analysis.Results:53 patients were enrolled into the study and they were followed up till a definite outcome is met.37(71.2%) were males and 15(28.8%) whereInfection was the etiology in majority of the cases. 32(91%), followed by malignancy and inflammatory disorders. Tuberculosis was found to be the most common infectious etiology followed by Urinary tract infections and enteric fever.Among the tuberculosis majority was extrapulmonarytuberculosis(87.5%)There were 2 cases of Vivax Malaria which is not endemic to this part of the country. HIV constituted (5.7%) among this population with various complications. Multiple metastasis, Multiple myeloma, Lymphoma,Leukemia and Hepato-cellular carcinoma were the malignant etiologies reported. A significant proportion (11.5%) of patients etiology of Fever could not be diagnosed. Conclusion:Infectious etiology, especially Tuberculosis was the most common cause for FUO in this part of the country. A thorough search for otherinfections, malignancy and inflammatory disorders should be undertaken in case of FUO. A significant (11.5%) patients’ etiology could not be diagnosed despite thorough workup.</p> ER -