Symptom Clusters in Postchemotherapy Neutropenic Fever in Hematological Malignancy: Associations Among Sickness Behavior Symptom Cluster, Inflammatory Biomarkers of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein, and Febrile Measures

Context: Little research has been conducted to investigate symptom clusters in postchemotherapy neutropenic fever (NF), their relationships with inflammatory biomarkers, and febrile outcome measures in patients with hematological malignancy, a population with high febrile rates incurring considerable costs to the health care system.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate these.

Methods: One hundred four NF episodes were observed in patients with hematological malignancy who were enrolled in the study. Patient-reported symptoms were recorded using the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory. Inflammatory biomarkers of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), vital signs, blood specimens for cultures, blood cell counts, and biochemistry were also collected. Serious complications from NF were reviewed from medical records if documented. Exploratory factor analysis and Spearman's rank correlation were used in the data analysis.

Results: Three symptom clusters-sickness behavior, chemotherapy neurotoxicity, and emesis-were identified by exploratory factor analysis. The factor score of the sickness behavior cluster was significantly correlated with CRP (P < 0.05), PCT (P < 0.01), and the highest (P < 0.05) and maximum increased in (P < 001) temperatures at the onset (first day) of neutropenic fever.

Conclusion: This study identified symptom clusters of sickness behavior, chemotherapy neurotoxicity, and emesis and highlighted significant associations between sickness behavior cluster, PCT, CRP, and febrile temperatures at the onset of postchemotherapy NF. These areas have lacked exploration in previous research. Monitoring and analyzing patient-reported sickness behavior symptoms, PCT, CRP, and temperature data would provide significant complementary data for the management and surveillance of postchemotherapy NF in hematological malignancy.