JPERM

Objective: Infusion related reaction (IRR) occurs frequently during rituximab infusion despite premedication and control of the rituximab infusion rate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate risk factors for prevention of IRR. Methods: Patients with lymphoma received intravenous rituximab from May 2016 to April 2017 at Severance Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. First, the association between incidence rate of IRR and clinical factors of the patients was assessed by the univariable analysis. Then, logistic regression was used for the factors showing p<0.1 as a result of univariable analysis. Results: A total of 138 patients were analyzed, and 61 patients (44.2%) experienced IRR. Almost all of IRR reported at first cycle (60 patients, 92.3%). The symptoms of IRR were mostly pruritus, rash / urticaria, fever and chills. Severe IRRs with Grade 3 or more were hypotension (4 patients), dyspnea (4 patients), anaphylaxis (3 patients) and hypoxia (2 patients). The significant risk factors were age (p=0.010), splenomegaly (p=0.029) and lymphocyte (p=0.028) in the univariable analysis. But in multivariable analysis, only age was significant (Odds Ratio 0.417, 95% confidence interval 0.201-0.861, p=0.018). Conclusion: First cycle of rituximab injection and age were highly related with IRR. Patients with these risk factors need closed monitoring during rituximab administration. (JPERM 2018;10:-67): Rituximab; Adverse drug reaction; Risk factors; Lymphoma

Keywords Rituximab, Adverse drug reaction, Risk factors, Lymphoma