Fever of Unknown Origin: Report of 62 Cases

Fever of unknown origin is defined as fever above 38.3°C in several episodes in 3 weeks period, in the absence of specific diagnosis established by the end of 1 week inpatient evaluation. Sixtytwo patients, fitting the criteria of fever of unknown origin, followed in our clinics between 1993-1997 were investigated retrospectively. Minor or major invasive procedures were applied to 46 (74%) (7 laparotomies) patients. A specific diagnosis has been established in 55 (89%) patients. Infections, connective tissue diseases, neoplasms and other diseases were diagnosed in 31(50%), 13 (21%), 7 (11%) and 4 (6%) cases respectively. Among all, infections were the leading cause. When the infections were considered; tuberculosis (12 cases 19%) was the first in rank followed by endocarditis (7 cases 11%). Disseminated tuberculosis was the most frequent tuberculosis form. Still’s disease (5, 8%) and lymphomas were the leading forms of connective tissue diseases and neoplasms respectively. No diagnosis has been established in 7 (11%) out of 62 patients. Laparatomy had direct contribution to diagnosis in 6 cases making the diagnostic value of the procedure 86%. In the circumstances of our country, infections are the leading cause of fever of unknown origin and beyond tuberculosis; endocarditis and brucellosis should be beard in mind