Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website https://jocmr.elmerjournals.com

Original Article

Volume 18, Number 2, February 2026, pages 63-74


Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Cancer Patients With Sepsis

Tables

Table 1. Baseline Characteristics
 
VariableCancer (n = 310)No cancer (n = 628)P
SD: standard deviation; BMI: body mass index; HFrEF: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; WBC: white blood cell count; Hb: hemoglobin; PT: prothrombin time; aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time; LD: lactate dehydrogenase; HFpEF: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; CAD: coronary artery disease; CVA: cerebrovascular accident; TIA: transient ischemic attack; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; OSA: obstructive sleep apnea; PAD: peripheral arterial disease; Afib: atrial fibrillation; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; MCTD: mixed connective tissue disease; CKD: chronic kidney disease; CLD: chronic liver disease; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disorder; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease.
Age (years), mean (SD)66.78 (13.64)61.47 (16.11)< 0.01
Sex0.03
  Male, n (%)173 (55.80)303 (48.20)
  Female, n (%)137 (44.20)325 (51.80)
Race
  White, n (%)188 (60.60)324 (51.70)0.01
  Black, n (%)90 (29)175 (27.90)
  Hispanic, n (%)21 (6.80)95 (15.20)
  Other, n (%)11 (3.50)33 (5.30)
Social
  Tobacco use, n (%)183 (59.20)330 (52.60)0.06
  Alcohol use, n (%)96 (31.10)211 (33.60)0.44
  Recreational drug use, n (%)31 (10.00)107 (17.00)0.01
BMI, mean (SD)28.07 (9.27)30.02 (10.38)0.01
Lab values
  WBC (cells/mL) (median, 25th–75th)15.3 (11.9–22.6)15.9 (12.3–21.9)0.09
  Hb (g/dL), mean (SD)10.1 (3.7)9.9 (3.9)0.31
  Platelets (× 103/µL) (median, 25th–75th)108 (68–126)103 (56–112)0.06
  D-dimer (µg (FEU)/mL) (median, 25th–75th)4.4 (3.3–6.4)4.1 (2.9–7.2)0.13
  PT (s) (median, 25th–75th)14.2 (12.7–16.1)13.9 (10.2–16.8)0.23
  aPTT (s) (median, 25th–75th)38.4 (29.9–44.3)37.2 (25.2–48.1)0.94
  LD (U/L) (median, 25th–75th)691 (352–985)728 (289–967)0.39
Comorbidities
  Diabetes mellitus, n (%)111 (35.9)288 (45.9)0.01
  Hyperlipidemia, n (%)171 (55.20)333 (53.00)0.54
  HFrEF, n (%)45 (14.50)101 (16.10)0.53
  HFpEF, n (%)40 (12.90)81 (12.90)0.99
  CAD, n (%)87 (28.10)167 (26.60)0.63
  CVA, n (%)50 (16.20)126 (20.10)0.15
  TIA, n (%)19 (6.10)17 (2.70)0.01
  COPD, n (%)83 (26.80)163 (26.00)0.79
  Asthma, n (%)43 (13.90)115 (18.30)0.09
  OSA, n (%)38 (12.30)95 (15.10)0.236
  Hypothyroidism, n (%)43 (13.90)117 (18.70)0.07
  PAD, n (%)32 (10.30)92 (14.60)0.07
  Afib, n (%)99 (31.90)167 (26.60)0.09
  SLE, n (%) 4 (1.30)12 (1.90)0.49
  RA, n (%)16 (5.20)21 (3.30)0.18
  MCTD, n (%)0 (0.00)1 (0.20)1.00
  Sjogren’s syndrome, n (%)0 (0.00)3 (0.50)0.56
  Vasculitis, n (%)2 (0.60)5 (0.80)1.00
  Systemic sclerosis, n (%)1 (0.30)2 (0.30)1.00
  CKD, n (%)102 (32.90)214 (34.10)0.72
  CLD, n (%)52 (16.80)128 (20.40)0.19
  Immunodeficiency, n (%)17 (5.50)28 (4.50)0.49
  HIV, n (%)9 (2.90)16 (2.50)0.75
  Chronic steroid use, n (%)26 (8.40)39 (6.20)0.22
  GERD, n (%)105 (33.90)220 (35.00)0.73
  IBD, n (%)5 (1.60)17 (2.70)0.29

 

Table 2. Types of Cancers in Patients With Cancer and Sepsis
 
Type of cancerFrequency (n)Percent (%)
Lung cancer5216.8
Colorectal cancer3611.6
Breast cancer299.4
Prostate cancer278.7
Skin cancer other than melanoma258.1
Leukemias216.8
Lymphomas206.5
Gastroesophageal cancer206.5
Urinary/bladder cancer144.5
Uterine cancer123.9
Kidney cancer123.9
Esophageal cancer123.9
Larynx cancer103.2
Melanoma103.2
Myelodysplastic syndrome92.9
Liver cancer92.9
Thyroid cancer72.3
Brain cancer72.3
Connective/soft tissue cancer61.9
Anal cancer41.3
Pharynx cancer41.3
Multiple myeloma41.3
Meningioma31
Parotid gland cancer20.6
Tonsil cancer20.6
Tongue cancer10.3

 

Table 3. Cancer Treatment Modality in Patients With Cancer and Sepsis
 
Type of treatmentFrequency (n)Percent (%)
Chemotherapy15349.8
Radiotherapy9230
Hormonal therapy175.5

 

Table 4. Outcomes of Sepsis Patients With or Without Cancer
 
OutcomeSCa, n (%)SnoCa, n (%)Pa
aChi-square test.
Palliative care153 (49.40)203 (32.30)< 0.01
Readmission108 (34.80)223 (35.50)0.84
Bloodstream infection96 (31.00)219 (34.60)0.23
In hospital mortality163 (52.60)300 (47.80)0.17
All-cause mortality205 (66.10)334 (53.20)< 0.01

 

Table 5. Length of Stay in Patients With Cancer and Sepsis
 
Risk factorβT-statisticP
Age–0.01–0.320.75
Male sex0.061.730.08
White vs. Black0.030.960.34
White vs. Hispanic–0.04–1.240.21
White vs. other races0.030.780.44
Body mass index0.041.160.25
Alcohol use0.051.510.13
Tobacco use–0.02–0.560.57
Cardiovascular disorder0.030.810.42
Rheumatological disorder–0.05–1.360.17
Respiratory disorder0.040.970.33
Immunodeficiency disorder0.030.730.47
Chronic kidney disease0.020.580.56
Chronic liver disease–0.08–2.250.03
Gastrointestinal disorder0.040.970.33
Cancer–0.08–2.210.03

 

Table 6. Influence of Risk Factors on Readmissions
 
Risk factorBPExp(B)95% CI for Exp(B)
LowerUpper
CI: confidence interval.
Age–0.02< 0.010.980.970.99
Sex male–0.190.220.830.621.12
White vs. Black–0.240.170.780.561.11
White vs. Hispanic0.0220.921.020.651.60
White vs. other races–0.720.070.490.231.06
Body mass index< 0.010.971.000.991.02
Alcohol use–0.270.100.770.561.05
Tobacco use0.350.031.421.041.93
Cardiovascular disorder0.600.011.831.242.70
Rheumatological disorder0.280.341.320.742.36
Respiratory disorder0.120.461.130.821.56
Immunodeficiency disorder–0.430.190.650.341.26
Gastrointestinal disorder0.77< 0.012.161.582.96
Chronic kidney disease0.530.011.691.242.32
Chronic liver disease0.300.121.350.931.96
Cancer0.060.721.060.771.45

 

Table 7. Influence of Risk Factors on Bloodstream Infection
 
Risk factorBPExp(B)95% CI for Exp(B)
LowerUpper
CI: confidence interval.
Age–0.010.350.990.991.01
Sex male–0.090.550.920.691.22
White vs. Black–0.080.630.920.661.29
White vs. Hispanic0.340.131.400.912.16
White vs. other races0.580.081.780.943.39
Body mass index0.020.021.021.001.03
Alcohol use–0.130.430.880.651.20
Tobacco use–0.130.390.880.651.18
Cardiovascular disorder–0.030.870.970.661.39
Rheumatological disorder–0.530.100.590.311.11
Respiratory disorder–0.110.490.890.651.23
Immunodeficiency disorder–0.410.210.660.341.27
Gastrointestinal disorder–0.020.890.980.711.35
Chronic kidney disease0.190.231.210.891.66
Chronic liver disease0.270.151.310.911.88
Cancer–0.090.560.910.671.24

 

Table 8. Influence of Risk Factors on In-Hospital Mortality
 
Risk factorBPExp(B)95% CI for Exp(B)
LowerUpper
CI: confidence interval.
Age0.010.711.000.991.01
Sex male0.210.141.230.941.63
White vs. Black0.64< 0.011.901.382.62
White vs. Hispanic0.180.421.190.781.82
White vs. other races0.420.201.520.802.90
Body mass index0.010.331.010.991.02
Alcohol use0.240.111.270.951.71
Tobacco use0.050.761.050.791.39
Cardiovascular disorder0.030.851.030.731.46
Rheumatological disorder0.100.721.110.641.94
Respiratory disorder0.020.881.020.761.39
Immunodeficiency disorder0.190.531.210.672.19
Gastrointestinal disorder–0.430.010.650.480.88
Chronic kidney disease0.160.301.170.871.59
Chronic liver disease0.450.011.581.102.26
Cancer0.260.081.290.971.74

 

Table 9. Influence of Risk Factors on All-Cause Mortality
 
Risk factorBPExp(B)95% CI for Exp(B)
LowerUpper
CI: confidence interval.
Age0.010.331.010.991.02
Sex male0.230.121.250.951.66
White vs. Black0.69< 0.012.011.452.79
White vs. Hispanic0.190.391.200.791.84
White vs. other races0.240.481.270.662.43
Body mass index0.010.651.000.991.02
Alcohol use–0.020.920.990.731.33
Tobacco use0.120.431.120.841.50
Cardiovascular disorder–0.020.910.980.691.39
Rheumatological disorder0.100.721.110.631.95
Respiratory disorder0.340.031.411.031.92
Immunodeficiency disorder–0.080.790.920.511.69
Gastrointestinal disorder–0.400.010.670.490.91
Chronic kidney disease0.150.351.160.851.57
Chronic liver disease0.350.061.420.992.06
Cancer0.60< 0.011.821.352.46