A comparative study of gender dependency about temperature difference of the ear and axillary among radiotherapy patients

Abstract

Objective To compare the temperatures of radiotherapy patients measured with electronic ear thermometer and axillary mercury thermometer, and investigate the impact of gender on the differences of the ear and axillary temperatures. Methods A total of 348 pairs of ears and axillary temperatures were acquired, and the differences between ear and axillary temperatures were calculated. SPSS software was utilized to analyze the differences and the applicability of the empirical conversion factor of 0.5 Celsius degree among radiotherapy patients. Results Significantly higher temperature was observed at the ear than the axillary [mean difference=(0.19±0.41)℃], (t=8.52, P<0.01, 95%CI: 0.14-0.23), and the difference was statistically inconsistent with the empirical conversion factor of 0.5 (P<0.05). Using the independent sample t test, Levene′s test for equality of variances indicated that the mean value of male was (0.15±0.38)℃, female (0.25±0.45)℃ (F=4.435, P=0.036). The temperature difference of ear and axillary were significantly gender-dependent [t=2.133, P=0.034, mean difference=(0.10±0.05)℃, 95%CI: 0.008-0.196℃]. Conclusions Ear thermometer is safe and convenient, yet the conversion to traditional axillary temperature should be handled with attention especially considering the gender and individual varieties. Key words: Oncology; Nursing; Ear thermometer; Mercury thermometer; Individual variety