CLINICAL PROFILE AND ETIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF PYREXIA OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN IN ADULT PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Pyrexia of unknown origin is a challenging clinical condition in internal medicine and is defined by 
prolonged fever without an established diagnosis after appropriate initial evaluation. It may be caused by infections, 
malignancies, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, or miscellaneous conditions. Identification of the underlying 
etiology requires systematic clinical evaluation and rational use of laboratory and imaging investigations.
Aim: To evaluate the clinical profile, etiological spectrum, diagnostic approach, and outcome of adult patients presenting 
with pyrexia of unknown origin.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine among 120 
adult patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin. Detailed history, clinical examination, baseline investigations, 
microbiological tests, serological markers, imaging studies, and tissue diagnosis where indicated were evaluated. Etiology 
was categorized into infectious, inflammatory or autoimmune, malignant, miscellaneous, and undiagnosed causes. 
Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered 
statistically significant