Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
Eric Jessen Chow , Kara Cushing-Haugen , Michael Boeckh , Paul Carpenter , Mary Flowers , Stephanie Lee , Wendy M. Leisenring , Beth Mueller , Joshua A. Hill , Aimee Foord
Background: Infections are a major complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Few studies have compared the incidence of late infections occurring ≥2y post-HCT to other cancer patients and the general population. Methods: Single center records of ≥2y HCT survivors who were Washington residents treated from 1992-2009 (n = 1,792; median age 46y; 53% allogeneic; 90% hematologic malignancies) were linked to the state’s hospital discharge and death registries. Individuals randomly selected from the state cancer registry (n = 5,455, non-HCT) and driver’s license files (n = 16,340, DOL) who survived ≥2y formed two comparison groups, matched on sex, age, year, and cancer diagnosis (non-HCT group only). Based on hospital and death registry codes, incidence rate ratios (IRR) with confidence intervals (CI) of infections by organism type and organ system were estimated using Poisson regression. Results: With 6y (range 2-20) median follow up, the incidence rate (per 1000 person-y) of all infections was 65 in HCT survivors vs. 40 in the non-HCT group (IRR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9). In contrast, the DOL group’s infection rate was 7 (HCT vs. DOL IRR 10.0, 95% CI 8.3-12.1). Specifically, bacterial and fungal infections were each 70% more common in HCT vs non-HCT cancer survivors (IRRs 1.7; p < 0.01). Differences in viral infection rates were more modest (IRR 1.4, p = 0.07). Infections attributed to staphylococcus, streptococcus, and non-Candida fungi including Aspergillus were twice as common in the HCT vs. non-HCT cancer survivors (IRRs 2.1-2.3; p < 0.05). IRRs for nervous system, respiratory, and musculoskeletal infections between these 2 groups were 1.9-2.8 (p < 0.05). Among potentially vaccine-preventable organisms, the IRR was 3.2 (95% CI 2.2-4.6). While the absolute incidences decreased with time, the relative risks in almost all categories were even greater when restricted to ≥5y HCT vs. non-HCT cancer survivors. Conclusions:≥2y HCT survivors had a significantly increased incidence of infections vs. matched non-HCT cancer survivors. Providers caring for long-term HCT survivors should maintain high vigilance for infections in this population and ensure adherence to HCT antimicrobial prophylaxis and vaccination guidelines.
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