Retrospective analysis of infections prevalence in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis treated with cyclophosphamide

Abstract

Aim. Assessment of infections prevalence rate, type and severity in patients diagnosed with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX), during 12 months of observations. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of mild, moderate and severe infections in 17 women with a mean age of 58.8 ± 10.0, based on an interview, physical examination, additional tests, and available medical records. Results. 46 various infections were diagnosed in the analysed group of patients. 32 (69.6%) infections involved the respiratory system, and 14 (30.4%) infections concerned the urinary tract. The average frequency per one patient was 2.7 ± 3.5 (median: 2) events during 12 months of observations. The majority of infections, 60.9 % (n = 28), were mild ones of slight intensity, and 37.0% (n = 17) were moderate ones. Only one person (2.2% of all infections) had a severe infection requiring hospitalisation.Conclusions. In the studied group the infection prevalence rate was comparable to that in a healthy population. The majority of infections were mild and involved the respiratory system. Basis of conducted analysis 12 months intravenous administration of CTX is not a factor significantly increasing a risk of severe infections in the studied group of patients. In PSS patients CTX pulse therapy is relatively safe, as it does not cause severe infections requiring hospitalisation