Risk Factors for Reaching Core Body Temperature Thresholds in Florida Agricultural Workers

Background Adverse health effects among agricultural workers due to chronic heat exposure have been characterized in the literature as not only due to high ambient temperatures but also due to intensive manual labor in hot and humid conditions. The aim of this study was to use biomonitoring equipment to examine the effectiveness of selected cooling devices at preventing agricultural workers from exceeding the core body temperature threshold of 38.0°C (Tc38) and attenuating heat-related illness symptoms. Methods A convenience sample of 84 agricultural workers in Florida was randomized to one of four groups: (a) no intervention, clothing as usual; (b) cooling bandana; (c) cooling vest; and (d) both the cooling bandana and cooling vest. Biomonitoring equipment worn by the participants included core body temperature monitor and an accelerometer to capture physical activity. Findings A total of 78 agricultural workers completed one intervention workday trial. Compared with the control group, the bandana group had lower odds of exceeding Tc38 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7, 90% confidence interval [CI] = [0.2, 3.2]) and the vest group had higher odds of exceeding Tc38 (OR = 1.8, 90% CI = [0.4, 7.9]). The simultaneous use of cooling vest and bandana showed an effect little different from the control group (OR = 1.3, 90% CI = [0.3, 5.6]). Conclusion/Application to Practice This is the first field-based study to examine cooling intervention among agricultural workers in the United States using biomonitoring equipment. This study found that using a bandana while working in a hot agricultural environment has the potential to be protective against exceeding the recommended Tc38 threshold.

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Environmental Injuries: Hyperthermia and Hypothermia

MacEwan University Student eJournal ◽

10.31542/muse.v4i1.1854 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amanda McDonald ◽

Rebekah Stubbs ◽

Prince Lartey ◽

Shaeleigh Kokot

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Sport Injury ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Research Paper ◽

The Body ◽

Important Type ◽

Preventative Measures ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Core Body

Environmental injuries are an important type of sport injury to study as they can occur year-round, through a variety of activities, and occur to a broad range of athletic populations. Hyperthermia (a core body temperature above 38.5°C) and hypothermia (a core body temperature below 35°C) are two common environmental injuries that can be life threatening. This research paper examines the mechanisms of how and why these injuries occur and the effect they have on the body. This paper also outlines preventative measures to take, including identifying internal and external predisposing risk factors, as well as ways to treat hyperthermia and hypothermia to return an athlete back to play.

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Circadian disruption of core body temperature in trauma patients: a single-center retrospective observational study

Journal of Intensive Care ◽

10.1186/s40560-019-0425-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aurélien Culver ◽

Benjamin Coiffard ◽

François Antonini ◽

Gary Duclos ◽

Emmanuelle Hammad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Head Trauma ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Single Center ◽

Independent Risk Factors ◽

Core Body

Abstract Background Circadian clock alterations were poorly reported in trauma patients, although they have a critical role in human physiology. Core body temperature is a clinical variable regulated by the circadian clock. Our objective was to identify the circadian temperature disruption in trauma patients and to determine whether these disruptions were associated with the 28-day mortality rate. Methods A retrospective and observational single-center cohort study was conducted. All adult severe trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Aix Marseille University, North Hospital, from November 2013 to February 2018, were evaluated. The variations of core body temperature for each patient were analyzed between days 2 and 3 after intensive care unit admission. Core body temperature variations were defined by three parameters: mesor, amplitude, and period. A logistic regression model was used to determine the variables influencing these three parameters. A survival analysis was performed assessing the association between core body temperature rhythm disruption and 28-day mortality rate. A post hoc subgroup analysis focused on the patients with head trauma. Results Among the 1584 screened patients, 248 were included in this study. The period differed from 24 h in 177 (71%) patients. The mesor value (°C) was associated with body mass index and ketamine use. Amplitude (°C) was associated with ketamine use only. The 28-day mortality rate was 18%. For all trauma patients, age, body mass index, intracranial hypertension, and amplitude were independent risk factors. The patients with a mesor value < 36.9 °C (p < 0.001) and an amplitude > 0.6 °C (p < 0.001) had a higher 28-day mortality rate. Among the patients with head trauma, mesor and amplitude were identified as independent risk factors (HR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.23–0.70], p = 0.001 and HR = 4.73, 95% CI [1.38–16.22], p = 0.01). Conclusions Our results highlight an association between core body temperature circadian alteration and 28-day mortality rate. This association was more pronounced in the head trauma patients than in the non-head trauma patients. Further studies are needed to show a causal link and consider possible interventions.

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