TITLE:
Retrospective Study on Risk Factors for Perianal Infections in Patients with Neutropenia
AUTHORS:
Xianmei Li
KEYWORDS:
Perianal Infection, Neutropenia, Prevention, Risk Factors, Povidone-Iodine
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To explore the risk factors for perianal infections in patients with neutropenia and evaluate the effectiveness of different preventive measures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 173 cases of neutropenia in inpatients at the Department of Hematology, First People’s Hospital of Jingzhou, from January 2022 to December 2023. Patients were divided into three preventive groups based on their self-care ability and willingness: 1) KMnO4 dilution sitz bath, 2) povidone-iodine perianal disinfection, and 3) a combination of both. The study investigated the risk factors for perianal infections and evaluated the effectiveness of these preventive measures. Results: The incidence rate of perianal infections was 9.8% (17/173). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of neutropenia (8 - 14 days vs ≤7 days OR = 16.522, P = 0.013; ≥15 days vs ≤7 days OR = 39.963, P = 0.001) and constipation (OR = 5.979, P = 0.009) were independent risk factors for perianal infections in neutropenic patients. The effectiveness of KMnO4 sitz bath was inferior to the combination of sitz bath and povidone-iodine disinfection (OR = 10.774, P = 0.035), while the effectiveness of povidone-iodine perianal disinfection was similar to the combination method (OR = 0.91, P = 0.095). Conclusion: For patients with prolonged neutropenia or constipation, the use of povidone-iodine for perianal skin disinfection may help reduce the incidence of perianal infections in neutropenic patients.