[projectstatistics]_[4m2f]

Rationalise why you choose your variable
It is clinically important to maintain a constant internal core temperature in humans in order for a stable environment to allow chemical reactions to take place at the optimum temperature. Homeostasis is therefore important to ensure efficient functioning of the body & also to facilitate recovery in sick patients. Therefore, monitoring a patient's body temperature accurately is an important component of capturing any changes and to administer the proper treatment to maintain a constant internal environment.


Clark M. Blatteis, "Body Temperature", Physiology and Pathophysiology of Temperature Regulation, Chapter 2: 14 - 22

State the importance of your study
The decision of which route to use for measuring core temperature in the hospitals (especially the intensive care units) remains a tough & controversial cookie to crack. Protocol differs between hospitals, or even within the departments in a hospital itself.



While there exist studies done regarding the difference between rectal, infrared tympanic and nasopharyngeal pathways in the ICU setting (Cronin & Wallis, "Temperature taking in the ICU: Which route is best?", Australian Critical Care, Volume 13, Issue 2 (May 2000): 59 - 64), there are far lesser research on the differences between oral & axillary temperature (more commonly done on patients outside of the ICU who are more likely to resist the more invasive methods used in the ICU). We hope that this pilot study would be able to help us visualise the data-collection process and understand better the basis of a clinical research.


What is the hypothesis?
We hypothesise that axillary temperature shows a high correlation to oral temperature. The null hypothesis would therefore be that the axillary temperature shows a low correlation to oral temperature.


Variables
Dependent variable: Axilla temperature
Independent variable: Oral temperature

Conceptualisation
Axillary temperature: The body temperature as recorded by a clinical thermometer placed under the armpit
Oral temperature: The body temperature as recorded by a clinical thermometer placed in the mouth

Operationalisation
Temperature: Clinical thermometer
Position: Under the tongue for oral, under the armpit for axilla

Safety & hygiene

Usage of sleeves at mercury bulb
Alcohol swaps to clean mercury bulb after every individual reading
Gloves to be worn at all times when handling the thermometer

Other factors that can affect the data collected

Weather on the day of data collection
Extra heat generated due to friction

Abstract: The ideal technique for measuring temperature should be rapid, painless, reproducible and accurately reflect the core temperature. While axillary temperature is commonly used because of convenience and safety, there are conflicting reports about its accuracy. To determine whether axillary temperature can act as a surrogate for oral/rectal temperatures, a prospective comparative study was conducted. The axillary and rectal temperatures (Group 1: infants < 1 year age) and axillary and oral temperatures (Group 2: children 6–14 years age) were compared using mercury-in-glass, thermometers. Various tests of agreement were applied to the data obtained. Rectal and axillary temperatures for infants agreed well; the mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between the two being 0.6°C (−0.3°C, 1.4°C). Similarly, the mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between oral and axillary measurements for children aged 6–14 years was observed to be 0.6°C (−0.4°C, 1.4°C). Axillary temperature appears to be an acceptable alternative to rectal/oral temperature measurements in children.

Resources: Rakesh Lodha et al, "Is axillary temperature an appropriate surrogate for core temperature", The Indian Journal Of Pediatrics, Volume 67, Number 8 (August, 2000): 571 - 574.