A further analysis of the clinical characteristics of older
patients by decade of life (ages 65–74, 75–84, and >85 years)
showed a surprising trend toward increasing mean temperature
(376°C 12, 380°C 11, and 382°C 10),
respectively. The difference in mean temperature wassignificant when we compared the youngest and oldest
decade, P = 0006, with the only other clinical difference
noted being that underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease was less common in patients over age 85 (64% versus
26%, P < 0001).