Analysis of relevant factors influencing size of breast abscess cavity during lactation: a cross-sectional study

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for the severity of breast abscess during lactation.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Questionnaire survey of breast abscess patients.

According to whether the maximum abscess diameter > 5 cm, the patients were divided into two groups for univariate and multivariate regression analysis.

Results 1805 valid questionnaires were included.

Univariate and Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low education (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.0, P  = 0.005), non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9, P  = 0.004), fever > 37.5 ℃ (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9, P  = 0.003), flat or inverted nipples (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9, P  = 0.005), antibiotic used (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.9, P  = 0.006), and non-medical massage (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.4, P  < 0.001) were the effective independent influencing factors for the maximum breast abscess diameter > 5 cm.

Conclusion Low education, non-exclusive breastfeeding, fever > 37.5 ℃, inverted or flat nipples, antibiotic used, and non-medical massage history have adverse effects on the severity of breast abscess during lactation.