OBJECTIVE To analyze the risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) central line-associated bloodstream infection in cancer patients and explore corresponding management strategies.

METHODS The data of 52 chemotherapy patients with PICC central line-associated bloodstream infection (PICC-CLABSI) admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between May 2021 and May 2023 were collected retrospectively, and the patients were classified as the infection group. Additionally, 183 chemotherapy patients without PICC-CLABSI during the same period were included as the non-infection group. Clinical data from both groups were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for PICC-CLABSI in cancer patients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to assess the accuracy of predictive variables.

RESULTS A total of 57 pathogens were isolated from 52 patients with PICC-CLABSI, including 15 strains of Escherichia coli, 12 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 9 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 9 strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Diabetes (OR=2.694), catheter indwelling time ≥30 d(OR=7.146), number of chemotherapy (OR=6.617), maintenance frequency of once per week (OR=2.803) and maintenance method (OR=6.289) were identified as risk factors for PICC-CLABSI (P < 0.05). The area under the curve for the combined prediction of PICC-CLABSI was 0.904, with a sensitivity of 0.750 and a specificity of 0.907.

CONCLUSIONS Diabetes, catheter indwelling time and number of chemotherapy are risk factors for PICC-CLABSI, while a maintenance frequency of once per week and the maintenance method are protective factors. Close attention should be paid to the assessment of risk factors after catheter placement, and targeted anti-infection strategies should be implemented.