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Performance of a modified MASCC index score for identifying low-risk febrile neutropenic cancer patients

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Abstract

Goals of work

This is a prospective and observational study comparing the efficacy of risk-assessment models in patients with neutropenic fever in a reference treatment center. The meaning of the complex infection was evaluated.

Materials and methods

Patients were recruited throughout a 9-month period. Inclusion criteria were histologic diagnosis of malignancy, neutropenic febrile secondary to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (absolute neutrophil count of <500/µl and axillary temperature ≥38°C), and ≥18 years of age.

Main results

Fifty-three febrile neutropenic patients were included. Twenty one of them were classified as low risk by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk-index score. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of the MASCC risk-index scores were, respectively 87.9, 85.0, 90.6, 80.9, and 86.8%. None of the low-risk patients died, but four patients classified as low risk by the MASCC model developed serious medical complications during febrile neutropenic episodes. When we subtracted patients with complex infections from the group of patients with the MASCC risk-index score of ≥21, we got 15 patients that were classified as low risk by a proposed adjustment by complex infection (PACI) model. None of them developed serious medical complications. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and the accuracy of this new model were, respectively, 100, 75.0, 86.8, 100, and 90.6%.

Conclusion

The MASCC risk-index score had high sensitivity and specificity to predict the absence of complications, but the PACI model was better than MASCC for predicting the absence of complications in this febrile neutropenic patients.

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Acknowledgement

We are indebted to all members of the Departments of Medical Oncology and Internal Hematology of the Felicio Rocho Hospital.

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  1. Luciano de Souza Viana

    Present address: , Avenida Lins, No. 90, Apt 22, Bairro Ibirapuera, Barretos, São Paulo, CEP 14.784-173, Brazil

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Luciano de Souza Viana, José Carlos Serufo & Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha

  2. Departments of Medical Oncology and Internal Hematology, Felicio Rocho Hospital, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Luciano de Souza Viana, Renato Nogueira Costa & Roberto Carlos Duarte

Authors
  1. Luciano de Souza Viana
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  2. José Carlos Serufo
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  3. Manoel Otávio da Costa Rocha
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  4. Renato Nogueira Costa
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  5. Roberto Carlos Duarte
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luciano de Souza Viana.

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de Souza Viana, L., Serufo, J.C., da Costa Rocha, M.O. et al. Performance of a modified MASCC index score for identifying low-risk febrile neutropenic cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 16, 841–846 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0347-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0347-3

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