LAUSR

Background/Aim: The incidence of acute nausea in patients treated with anthracycline-containing regimens for breast cancer, was significantly increased by dose reduction of prophylactic antiemetic dexamethasone on day 1, whilst reducing it on days 2-4 did not affect delayed nausea. We also found that patients <55 years old were at higher risk of developing nausea. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the influence of dexamethasone dosage on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients <55 years old. Patients and Methods: Patients (20-54 years old) who had received anthracycline-containing regimens for breast cancer were divided into reduced dose (6.6 mg dexamethasone on day 1, and 4 mg on days 2-4) and control (9.9 mg and 8 mg, respectively) groups and retrospectively evaluated. The incidence and severity of nausea, vomiting and anorexia were compared. Risk factors associated with nausea were also assessed. Results: The incidence of acute nausea was significantly higher in the reduced dosage group than in the control group (75.0% and 45.2%, respectively; p=0.02). In contrast, the rate of delayed nausea was not different (p=0.41); the incidence of vomiting and anorexia, and the severity of nausea and anorexia were also not statistically different. Multivariate logistic analysis suggested that patients with no-to-low alcohol consumption and those administered 6.6 mg dexamethasone on day 1 were at a higher risk of acute nausea. Conclusion: Our study suggests that dexamethasone dose reduction on day 1 in patients treated with anthracycline-containing regimens is not suitable for acute nausea management, and that the dosage can be reduced to at least 4 mg on days 2-4, even in patients under 55 years of age.