Purpose
After Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), patients may experience Post-Embolization Syndrome (PES), which is characterized by abdominal pain, fever, and nausea/vomiting. Various risk factors, including demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data, have been reported. This study aimed to identify sex-specific risk predictors of PES following TACE.
Methods
This retrospective study included 1,495 patients who underwent TACE and were discharged from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2021. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of the patients undergoing TACE were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, the χ² test, the independent t-test (or Mann-Whitney U test), Spearman correlation analysis, and logistic regression were used.
Results
The incidence of PES was higher in female (43.9%) than in male (37.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels as the only independent predictor of PES in female patients (Exp [B]=1.01, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.00~1.01). The risk factors of PES in male patients were a tumor >5 cm in diameter (Exp [B]=2.51, 95% CI=1.46~4.32), the amount of lipiodol (Exp [B]=1.27, 95% CI=1.01~1.60), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels (Exp [B]=1.11, 95% CI=1.02~1.21), ALT level (Exp [B]=1.00, 95% CI=1.00-1.01), lymphocyte levels (Exp [B]=0.98, 95% CI=0.96~0.99), and right posterior section (S6-S7) (Exp [B]=0.71, 95% CI=0.55-0.92).
Conclusion
Oncology nurses should be aware of sex-specific differences in PES risk and monitor clinical, laboratory, and radiological data to evaluate PES in female and male after TACE. The results of this study will serve as basic data for establishing a clinical decision-supporting system.