Factors influencing hospital length of stay in febrile neutropenia: A retrospective cohort study of Turkish patients with solid tumors

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a severe complication of chemotherapy, associated with substantial mortality and financial burden. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between hospital length of stay (LOS), supportive therapies, and antibiotic regimens in patients with FN, with a specific focus on the Turkish population. Eighty adult patients with solid tumors were enrolled. Patients received empirical antibiotic therapy within 2 hours of presentation. Data were collected on clinical and demographic variables, including LOS, fever duration, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Risk Index scores, and laboratory parameters. The mean hospital LOS was 6.09 ± 3.62 days. Sulperazon use was significantly associated with a shorter LOS compared to meronem and tazocin (P < .001). Patients receiving filgrastim had a longer LOS compared to those who did not (P = .042). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between LOS and febrile days (R = 0.624, P < .001), febrile days during hospitalization (R = 0.711, P < .001), and filgrastim administration days (R = 0.722, P < .001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that sulperazon use reduced LOS by 1.271 days (P = .048), while prolonged filgrastim use was linked to longer stays (P < .001). These findings highlight the critical role of antibiotic selection and supportive care in managing hospitalization duration for patients with FN. The combination of certain treatments and antibiotics plays a significant role in determining the duration of hospital stays, highlighting factors to consider in patient management and treatment planning.