# Association Between Treated Periodontal Disease and Febrile Neutropenia in Perioperative Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

## TL;DR

This study found no significant increase in febrile neutropenia in breast cancer patients with treated periodontal disease during chemotherapy.

## Contribution

The study provides evidence that prior dental treatment for periodontal disease does not increase febrile neutropenia risk during breast cancer chemotherapy.

## Key findings

- FN incidence was 36.4% in the periodontal group and 25.9% in the control group.
- The adjusted odds ratio for FN incidence was 1.52, but it was not statistically significant.

## Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine whether the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) during perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer increased in patients with periodontal disease who had received prior dental treatment.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary care center included patients diagnosed with clinical stages I-III of breast cancer and had started neoadjuvant or adjuvant intravenous chemotherapy between July 2015 and November 2021. The exposure was periodontal disease (probing depth ≥6 mm) diagnosed by dentists before the start of chemotherapy. Almost all the patients received dental treatment and oral care before initiating chemotherapy. The primary outcome was FN incidence during chemotherapy. We used a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, chemotherapy regimen, and the mean relative dose intensity.

Results: Based on the eligibility criteria of this study, 141 women were included. The incidence of FN in the periodontal group (probing depth ≥6 mm) and control group (probing depth <6 mm) was 36.4% and 25.9%, respectively. The crude odds ratio (OR) for FN incidence was 1.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-3.74; P = 0.24), and the adjusted OR was 1.52 (95% CI, 0.62-3.73; P = 0.36).

Conclusions: Occurrence of FN during perioperative chemotherapy for breast cancer is not a concern in patients undergoing dental treatment for periodontal disease before or during chemotherapy.