Risk Factors Associated With Unplanned Acute Care in Outpatient Chemotherapy With Oral Anticancer Drugs as Monotherapy or Combination Therapy With Injectable Anticancer Drugs.

BACKGROUND/AIM Recently, the number of patients with cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy using oral anticancer drugs has increased, but the currently available outpatient cancer chemotherapy is not safer than that available before. The present study aimed to identify risk factors associated with unplanned acute care (UAC) requiring outpatient chemotherapy-related consultation and hospitalisation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a case- control study among 1,674 patients who received oral anticancer drug treatment either alone or in combination with injectable anticancer drugs at National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan, between December 1, 2014, and November 30, 2015. RESULTS Body mass index (BMI) was identified as a risk factor for UAC during chemotherapy. Patients with a BMI of <18.5 kg/m2, classified as underweight according to the World Health Organization classification of nutritional status, had a significantly higher risk of UAC. CONCLUSION A low BMI immediately before the occurrence of chemotherapy-related UAC is a risk factor for adverse effects; therefore, underweight patients need more careful monitoring and supportive care.