ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Association between postoperative body temperature and in-hospital mortality: a nationwide cohort study of 157,028 critically ill patients in Japan
Authors' conclusion
In this large nationwide cohort of critically ill surgical patients in Japan, we observed that low and high postoperative body temperatures were associated with increased in-hospital mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill adults after surgery registered in the Japanese Intensive Care Patient Database, 2015–2021
- Participants
- 157,028 adults
- Exposure
- Highest postoperative body temperature in 0.5-°C categories
- Outcome
- In-hospital mortality
Methodological detailsmultivariable regression, cubic spline models
- Multivariable regression
- Cubic spline models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
In-hospital mortality by body temperature category
Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
< 36.0 °C
2.15(1.62–2.86)
> 40.0 °C
1.41(1.02–1.96)
37.5-37.9 °Clowest mortality
0.62(0.55–0.70)
- Overall in-hospital mortality
- 2.9%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Surgery for source control of infection vs other indications (subgroup)
- Low body temperatures associated with increased mortality regardless of infection
- High body temperatures not associated with increased mortality after surgery for source control of infection
Original publication
Association between postoperative body temperature and in-hospital mortality: a nationwide cohort study of 157,028 critically ill patients in Japan. Can J Anaesth. Published 16 June 2025. doi:10.
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