A retrospective study of risk factors for infection in cancer patients receiving specialist palliative care

Abstract

Preventing infectious diseases in patients with cancer receiving palliative care is extremely important. However, little is known about the factors causing infection in these patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the factors contributing to infection in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. The medical records of each patient were reviewed, and patient characteristics were recorded. Factors that correlated significantly with infection, as revealed by univariate analysis, were performance status, the fall risk assessment score, and venous catheters. Our present study provides further evidence that the fall risk assessment score is a risk factor for infection. Critical infections might be prevented in patients with cancer receiving palliative care by monitoring the above 3 factors.