Objective: To investigate risk factors associated with intraoperative hypothermia in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.
Methods: A prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Core body temperature was measured using a tympanic thermometer in patients aged 60 years and older who underwent hip arthroplasty under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation at the Department of Surgery and Anesthesiology - Intensive Care, Cho Ray Hospital, from December 2022 to December 2023. Body temperature was recorded at the following time points: pre-induction, induction, and at 10, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after induction, as well as at the end of surgery.
Results: Patients aged ≥ 70 years had a significantly higher risk of hypothermia compared with those aged < 70 years, with an OR of 9.67 (95% CI: 2.28-40.99; p = 0.002). Overweight patients (BMI = 23-25 kg/m2) had a significantly lower risk of hypothermia compared with underweight patients, with an OR of 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01-0.60; p = 0.014). Patients classified as ASA III had a higher risk of hypothermia than those classified as ASA II (OR = 5.23; 95% CI: 1.24-22.05; p = 0.024).
Conclusion: Advanced age, nutritional status, and preoperative comorbidity severity are significant factors influencing the risk of intraoperative hypothermia. Early identification of these risk factors is essential for developing effective preventive strategies, thereby improving patient safety and quality of perioperative care.