Risk Factors for Infusion Reactions Associated With Rituximab Therapy

Background/Aim: Although rituximab is used to treat a range of diseases, the high frequency of rituximab-associated infusion reactions (IRs) poses a clinical challenge. This study aimed to identify pre-treatment risk factors associated with rituximab-induced IRs using retrospective patient data. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients treated with rituximab. Data were compared between patients with and without IRs. Results: Among the variables assessed, an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level prior to rituximab administration was significantly associated with IR occurrence (odds ratio=2.591; 95% confidence interval=1.160-5.791; p=0.020). Conclusion: Elevated pre-medication levels of CRP are a significant risk factor associated with the use of rituximab, thereby highlighting the need for close monitoring of patients receiving rituximab who present with elevated CRP levels prior to the initiation of therapy.