Profiling risk factors for separation of infection complications in patients with gastrointestinal and nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors for infection complications in patients with gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GI-DLBCL) and nodal DLBCL (N-DLBCL) during treatment, respectively. Methods: Total 51 GI-DLBCL patients and 80 N-DLBCL patients were included after retrieving clinical data from a single medical center in the past ten years. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to analyze patients’ data, including baseline demographics, treatments and laboratory values, to determine independent risk factors of infection. Results: 28 of 51 patients (54.9%) in the GI-DLBCL group and 52 of 80 patients (65%) in the N-DLBCL group were observed infection events during treatment. A multivariate logistic regression model revealed that Ann-arbor stage IV (P=0.046; OR: 22.867; 95%CI: 1.053-496.508) and high serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) at the time of diagnosis (LDH >252U/L; P= 0.036; OR: 1.110; 95%CI: 1.105-21.456) were independent risk factors for the development of infection in patients with GI-DLBCL after systemic treatment. In the N-DLBCL group, low hemoglobin (Hb) (P= 0.037; OR: 0.970; 95%CI: 0.943-0.998) at the time of diagnosis, high serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (P= 0.046; OR: 4.869; 95%CI: 1.020-1.209) and low platelet (P= 0.016; OR: 0.991; 95%CI: 0.982-1.000) at pre-infected laboratory examination were significant factors in the infection events during treatment. Conclusions: Discordant impendent risk factors induced infection may be present during the treatment in patients of GI-DLBCL and N-DLBCL. Close monitoring these risk factors is likely an effective strategy to prevent microbial infections in these patients.