INTRODUCTION: Ferbile neutropenia is considered a medical emergency and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer patients. In this population, infections are often characterized by the lack of significant clinical findings during physical examination and a clear focus of infection, perhaps because of the inability to mount an adequate inflammatory response. It has long been recognized that any delay in treatment may result in a higher risk of mortality especially when caused by highly virulent pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile and disease outcome of the various infections an adult patient with leukemia who developed febrile neutropenia admitted at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital from January 1,2010 to July 31,2013.
METHODOLOGY: This is a three and a half year retrospective descriptive study. Medical records of all patients >18 old with leukemia, who were admitted and assessed to have infection which developed at the time of the neutropenia were included.
RESULTS: A total of 44 cases of leukemia with febrile neutropenia were reviewed. There was equal distribution between genders. Mean age was 39.64 years. Majority of patients had acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) [72.7%, (32/44)]. All patients had sepsis, where two, (4.5%) manifested with shock. Co-morbidities included hyperthyroidism (9.15%), diabetes milletus (DM) (6.8%), and hypertension (6.8%). Cefepime [40.9% (18/44)] and meropenem [31.8%, (14/44)] were the most coon antimicrobial agents used to treat neutropenic patients.
All of the patients had blood cultures, however, only 12, (27.3%) yielded positive results. Among those with negative culture results, 18.8% received antibiotics prior to collection of blood. Other specimens tested sputum and urine. Among those with positive results, the most common organisms isolated were E. coli [33.3%, (4/12)] followed by Enterobacter cloacae [16.7%, (2/12)]. Other organisms isolated include Aeromonas hydrophilia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , coagulase-negative straphylococci (CoNS), and viridans streptococci.
Nineteen (43.2%) patients had pneumonia, while five (11.4%) patients had urinary tract infection. Seventeen (38.6%) patients had no known focus of infection despite aggressive search. Culture positivity was observed more frequently among those with profound neutropenia [91.7% (11/12)] and those with Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score of less than 21 [100%, (6/6)].
Thirty seven (84%) of patients were discharged improved, (six 14%) died due to infection and one patients was discharged against medical advice. Mortality was high among those with profound neutropenia, (6/6, 100%) and those with MASCC score of less than 21 [100%, (6/6)].
CONCLUSION: Acute myelogenous leukemia cases comprised majority of febrile neutropenic patients. All patients had sepsis commonly involving the lungs. Co-morbidities included hyperthyroidism, DM and hypertension and few patients had prior use of antibiotics. Blood culture was positive in more than one fourth of the population. The most common organisms isolated were E. coli followed by Enterobacter cloacae. Mortality was high among patients with profound neutropenia and MASCC score of less than 21.

 

 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aeromonas ; Anti-bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Coagulase ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Enterobacter Cloacae ; Escherichia Coli ; Fever ; Hypertension ; Hyperthyroidism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ;

Introduction: Multiple myeloma remains to be an incurable hematologic entity, but with the advent of novel agents more patients experience significantly longer survival. In a third world country like the Philippines, autologous bone marrow transplant after chemotherapy for newly diagnosed cases which is the standard of care is difficult to comply. The management paradigm for myeloma has shifted over the years, hence this study.

Objective: Determine the clinical profile and treatment outcome of Filipino multiple myeloma patients diagnosed and managed at a tertiary institution from January 2013 to December 2018.

Methodology: Retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study of eligible symptomatic myeloma patients.

Results: Data for six years were retrospectively collected from a single tertiary institution. The clinical characteristics at diagnosis, treatment and survival rates of 109 active myeloma patients were described. The median age was 61 years (range, 28-83), with 51.4% being female. Median overall survival was 49.5 months (95% CI 42.7-56.2). The frontline treatments of patients were also analyzed. The combined deep response (complete and very good partial) of our patients at 31.7% was higher than of Asian Myeloma Network Study at 30.9%. None of them yet underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation as of date. Novel agents, especially bortezomib was used in 35.7% and significantly affected overall and progression-free survivals when used as a first line treatment.

Conclusion: This retrospective analysis demonstrated the paradigm shift in the treatment modality of myeloma and the survival outcomes has significantly improved, especially on the best response to chemotherapy. Short of the ideal management in a third world country like the Philippines, we can now set our new standard of care based on the treatments available including novel agents like bortezomib, and the best practices that our institution offers.

Multiple Myeloma ;