Prognostic factors
On univariate analysis, presence of free fluid and elevated serum
procalcitonin were associated with mortality. However, only presence of
free fluid was found to have independent association with mortality with
odds ratio of 24 (95% CI: 2.2-252.5). Though there was higher mortality
with higher fecal calprotectin and gut dysbiosis (isolation ofBacteroides and absence of Lactobacilli ), this did not
attain statistical significance.
Female gender, lower absolute neutrophil count, longer duration of
neutropenia. first cycle of chemotherapy and presence of bowel wall
dilatation were independently associated with longer duration of
hospital stay. Similarly, lower absolute neutrophil count and isolation
of Lactobacilli were associated with lesser requirement of bowel
rest. On the contrary, younger age, first cycle of chemotherapy,
presence of bowel wall thickening > 10 mm, presence of free
fluid and isolation of Bacteroides were associated with longer
duration of bowel rest.