Francky Teddy A. Endomba¹*, Joel Nouktadie Tochie^2,3, Celestin Danwang², Jan René Nkeck¹, Paul N. Tolefac² , Mazou N. Temgoua¹, Aurel T. Tankeu¹, Eugène Sobngwi^1,4

Authors’ affiliations

1. Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
2. Department of Surgery and Sub-Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
3. Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Group, Douala, Littoral Region,
   Cameroon
4. National Obesity Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Corresponding author*: Dr Francky Teddy A. Endomba (MD), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Objective: We aimed determine the relationship between body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate, among a Sub-Saharan African adults population in the emergency unit.

Methods: We conducted a transversal descriptive study between April and November 2017 (seven months), at the emergency department of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé. We included any consenting patients aged above 16 years and attending the emergency unit. Patients with known hypertension, hemoglobin < 10 g/dl, signs of hypoxia or shock and coma were excluded. Linear regression analysis with curve estimation was used to calculate the change in heart rate, respiratory rate and mean blood pressure corresponding to variations in body temperature. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 1000 adults were enrolled (561 females) with a mean age of 46.5 ± 17.4 years. A body temperature greater than 38.3°C was found in 21.2% of cases. On linear regression, 1°C variation in body temperature was positively and significantly associated to an increase of 9.4 ± 0.6 beats per minute (p<0.0001), and a respiratory rate change of 2.3 ± 0.2 breaths per minute (p<0.0001). No significant correlation was found between body temperature and blood pressure.

Conclusion: The present study is the first to establish variations in heart and respiratory rate with body temperature changes in Sub-Saharan Africa. These reference indices may help diagnose and assess the severity of cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies in SSA adults with hyperthermia/hypothermia.

Keywords: Body Temperature, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, Sub-Saharan Africa.