The Development of Algorithms for Individual Ranges of Body Temperature and Oxygen Saturation in Healthy and Frail Individuals

Abstract

Background/objectives: Individual habitual conditions entail a risk during the interpretation of vital parameters. We developed algorithms for calculating, validating, and interpreting individual normal ranges of body temperature and oxygen saturation.

Methods: In total, 70 healthy individuals aged 27 to 80 and 52 frail individuals aged 60 to 100 were included. Data on individual conditions comprised age, gender, physical ability, chronic disease, and medication. Ear temperature and oxygen saturation were measured for five mornings before the participants got out of bed and consumed medicine, food, or drink.

Results: The range for body temperature was 34.3 °C to 37.7 °C, with a variation of 0.7 °C ± 0.4 °C. The variation in minimum and maximum temperatures was 2.4 °C vs. 2.7 °C and 2.9 °C vs. 2.3 °C in healthy and frail subjects, respectively. The range for oxygen saturation was 85% to 99% in healthy individuals and 75% to 100% in frail individuals. The variation between minimum and maximum oxygen saturation was 13% vs. 25% and 4% vs. 17% in healthy and frail subjects, respectively.

Conclusions: To promote the implementation of precision medicine in clinical practice, it is necessary to interpret body temperature and oxygen saturation based on individual habitual conditions. Interpreting deviations from an individual's normal ranges allows healthcare professionals to provide necessary treatment without delay, which can be decisive in preventing further deterioration.

Keywords: algorithms; body temperature; habitual condition; individual normal; interpretation; oxygen saturation; precision medicine.

Figure 1

Variation in minimum and maximum values for body temperature (°C) and oxygen saturation (%), measured 5 mornings in a row, among 70 healthy and 52 frail elderly subjects. The graph illustrates the median value (bold line) and variation between the 25th and 75th percentiles within the box. Unfilled circles represent values between 1.5 and 3 times the interquartile range. The asterisks represent values that are more than 3 times the interquartile range. The numbers correspond to individuals.