Characteristics and predictors of infusion-related reactions to rituximab in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

This retrospective study aimed to assess the characteristics and predictors of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) to rituximab in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). The medical records of adult patients with B-NHL who received their first cycle of rituximab from August 2020 to August 2022 were reviewed. IRRs were defined as any signs experienced by patients during rituximab infusion and graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. During the study period, 334 patients were included; among them, 100 patients (30%) developed IRRs (mean age 54.7 (SD 13.2) years). Of the reported IRRs, 90% were grade II reactions, and 10% were grade III reactions. The multivariate analysis identified indolent lymphoma [OR 1.90, p = 0.025], no hydrocortisone as premedication [OR 3.03, p = 0.029], thrombocytopenia [OR 2.55, p = 0.009], and absolute lymphocyte count ≥ 2000 lymphocytes/microL [OR 1.74, p = 0.045] as independent predictors for IRRs.