Urban hypothermia in the west of Scotland

To our knowledge, the epidemiology of hypothermia in Britain is unknown: there have been no studies in a large population. Concerns about risks of hypothermia in socially isolated elderly people have resulted in calls for efforts aimed at prevention.1 Controversy about the increased cost of fuel have added to these concerns.2 Patients presenting to hospital in Glasgow, Paisley, Coatbridge, or Airdrie with rectal temperatures below 35°C were studied prospectively during the winter of 1993-4 (1 December to 31 March). All eight accident and emergency departments serving a continuous, defined urban population participated. Accident and emergency staff and ambulance crews collected data. Patients' relatives, neighbours, and general practitioners and social services departments provided additional information. Patients were followed up to discharge, transfer to long stay wards, or death. Ninety three patients presented with hypothermia. Given that the study …