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.