The role of body temperature in neutropenic sepsis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The role of body temperature in detecting neutropenic sepsis and predicting patient outcomes

• IRAS ID

  156540

• Contact name

  Clare Warnock

• Contact email

  clare.warnock@sth.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Research summary

  Neutropenic sepsis is a life-threatening side effect of systemic anti-cancer therapy, particularly chemotherapy. Patients with neutropenic sepsis have a reduced ability to fight infection and can become seriously ill very quickly if it is not detected and treated early. As a high temperature is one of the warning signs of neutropenic sepsis patients are asked to monitor their temperature while at home and contact the cancer centre immediately if it is raised.

  Despite its importance there has been little previous research into the role of body temperature in predicting the severity of neutropenic sepsis. For example, some patients become seriously ill but do not have an elevated temperature. On the other hand, some have a high temperature but only develop mild symptoms of infection. A recent investigation by NICE (2012) found that little previous research has been carried out to evaluate the relationship between the outcomes of neutropenic sepsis in relation to presenting body temperature. This led them to conclude that further research is required into this subject.
  We also know very little about the ways in which patients monitor their own temperature at home, their understanding of neutropenic sepsis and the helpfulness of the advice they are given by the cancer centre. This is important as patient self monitoring plays a key role in the early detection of neutropenic sepsis

  This project aims to explore these issues in two ways. Firstly, it will review the medical records of patients who developed neutropenic sepsis to see how their illness progressed and whether temperature helps to predict this. Secondly it will interview patients and staff to explore their understanding of temperature monitoring and neutropenic sepsis. These are important areas to explore to help us ensure patients receive appropriate treatments and effective patient advice and support.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/LO/1149

• Date of REC Opinion

  25 Jun 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion