Middle-aged and elderly outpatients show lower body temperature responses than the young, even with the same C-reactive protein levels.

ABSTRACT

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 degrees 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.