EVALUATING INFECTION RISK FACTORS IN ATHLETES WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the risk factors associated with infections following chemotherapy in athletes diagnosed with adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 215 adult ALL patients treated at our institution from January 2019 to January 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups: those who developed infections post-chemotherapy (n=135) and those who did not (n=80). Data collected included demographic details, treatment regimens, and common clinical indices such as white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (NEU), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (ALB), and D-dimer (DD) levels. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for post-chemotherapy infections. Results: The infection rate among the study cohort was 62.79%, with respiratory infections being predominant. There were no significant differences in gender, age, lifestyle factors, or seasonality between the two groups. Notably, body mass index values and the absence of community-acquired infections were significantly different in the infection group (P<0.05). Risk factors such as longer hospital stays, specific chemotherapy regimens, and critical hematological values (WBC <0.5 × 10^9/L, NEU ≤0.1 × 10^9/L, PLT <30 × 10^9/L) were associated with higher infection rates. Protective factors included absence of community infections. Conclusion: Infections remain a significant concern for athletes with ALL post-chemotherapy, particularly respiratory tract infections. Factors such as hospitalization duration, aggressive antibiotic usage, and critical decreases in hematological indices significantly contribute to infection risks. Understanding these risks is crucial for developing targeted strategies to prevent infections in this vulnerable population, ensuring safer chemotherapy outcomes and aiding in the overall management of athlete health during cancer treatment.