The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with mortality in cancer patients with bloodstream infections (BSI), analyzing multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR). We conducted a prospective observational study at a cancer referral center from August 2016 to July 2017, which included all BSI. 4220 patients were tested with blood cultures; 496 were included. Mean age was 48 years. In 299 patients with solid tumors, secondary BSI and Central Line-Associated BSI (CLABSI) were the most common (55.9% and 31.8%, respectively). In 197 hematologic patients, primary and mucosal barrier injury (MBI) BSI were the main type (38.6%). Gram-negative were the most frequent bacteria (72.8%), with Escherichia coli occupying the first place (n=210, 42.3%), 48% were Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producers, and 1.8% were resistant to carbapenems. Mortality at day 30, was 22%, but reached 70% when patients did not receive an appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that progression or relapse of the oncologic disease, inappropriate antimicrobial treatment, and having resistant bacteria were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Emergence of MDR bacteria is an important healthcare problem worldwide. Patients with BSI, particularly those patients with MDR bacteria have a higher mortality risk.

CEREZO O., OÑATE‐OCAÑA L.F., ARRIETA‐JOFFE P., GONZÁLEZ‐LARA F., GARCÍA‐PASQUEL M.J., BARGALLÓ‐ROCHA E. & VILAR‐COMPTE D. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care21, 684–691 Validation of the Mexican‐Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and BR23 questionnaires to assess health‐related quality of life in Mexican women with breast cancer The aim of this study was to validate the Mexican‐Spanish version of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐BR23 questionnaire. The translation procedure followed EORTC guidelines. QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐BR23 instruments were completed by Mexican women with breast cancer, attending a teaching referral cancer centre from February 2009 to January 2010. Patients were divided in two groups: (1) Patients with early stage of breast cancer; and (2) Patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Reliability and validity tests were performed, and validity over time (responsiveness) was conducted in a subset of patients. Two hundred and thirty‐four women (mean age, 52.3 years) completed both questionnaires. Convergent and divergent validity was adequate. Cronbach's alpha of all multi‐item scales showed values ≥0.7 except for Cognitive and Breast symptoms scales (0.52 and 0.65 respectively). Patients with early stages (n= 77) showed better functional scores and lower symptoms scores than patients with LABC (n= 157). Score means variation after responsiveness analysis demonstrated high sensitivity to change after breast cancer surgery. The Mexican‐Spanish version of the EORTC QLQ‐BR23 questionnaire is a valid and suitable instrument to estimate HRQL in patients with breast cancer.