S Ehmsen1,2, L H Jakobsen3,4, M E Lendorf5, R L Eefsen6, L Bentsen7, A S Knoop7, N Aggerholm-Pedersen8, H Skuladottir9, J Herrstedt10, L H Jensen11, C Rotbøl12, M B Damm13, K Wedervang14, A Glenthøj15, J Ryg2,16,17, H Frederiksen2,16,18,19, A R Kodahl1,2,16. 1. Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 2. Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark. 3. Department of Haematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Denmark Aalborg University. 5. Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, North Zealand Hospital, Denmark. 6. Department of Oncology, Herlev and Gentofte hospital, Denmark. 7. Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. 8. Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. 9. Department of Oncology, Regional Hospital West Jutland, Denmark. 10. Department of Clinical Oncology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark. 11. Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle Hospital, Denmark. 12. Department of Oncology, Aalborg University, Denmark Hospital. 13. Department of Clinical Oncology, Naestved Hospital, Denmark. 14. Department of Oncology, Southern Jutland Hospital, Sønderborg, Denmark. 15. Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. 16. Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 17. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 18. OPEN, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 19. Department of Haematology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are vulnerable to infections, are older and often have comorbidities in comparison to the general population, which increases the risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19 diagnosis. METHODS: This study is a prospective, nationwide study in patients with solid cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection included between 10 March to 15 June 2020. Patient's baseline characteristics were collected. The study's primary outcome was overall survival within 30 days of verified SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes were hospital admission, admission to an ICU, and need for supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients with a cancer diagnosis and verified SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. After one month of follow up, hospitalization was required for 54% (n = 61) and 21% of the patients had died and 14 of the 23 deceased cancer patients were ≥70 years. Most patients were classified with mild COVID-19 symptoms (66%, n = 74); however, 48% (n = 23) of the ≥70-year-olds patients were classified with severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms. Among the total study population, 61% (n = 68) had comorbidities and comorbidity were more frequently observed among the deceased (91%, n = 21) and older cancer patients (≥70 years, 81%, n = 39). CONCLUSIONS: Acknowledging the low sample size in this study, our work shows that age and comorbidities, but not recent cytotoxic therapy, are associated with adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer. Particularly, patients with progressive disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.HighlightsAge, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.Recent cytotoxic therapy, however, did not seem to be associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer.
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are vulnerable to infections, are older and often have comorbidities in comparison to the general population, which increases the risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19 diagnosis. METHODS: This study is a prospective, nationwide study in patients with solid cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection included between 10 March to 15 June 2020. Patient's baseline characteristics were collected. The study's primary outcome was overall survival within 30 days of verified SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes were hospital admission, admission to an ICU, and need for supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients with a cancer diagnosis and verified SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. After one month of follow up, hospitalization was required for 54% (n = 61) and 21% of the patients had died and 14 of the 23 deceased cancer patients were ≥70 years. Most patients were classified with mild COVID-19 symptoms (66%, n = 74); however, 48% (n = 23) of the ≥70-year-olds patients were classified with severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms. Among the total study population, 61% (n = 68) had comorbidities and comorbidity were more frequently observed among the deceased (91%, n = 21) and older cancer patients (≥70 years, 81%, n = 39). CONCLUSIONS: Acknowledging the low sample size in this study, our work shows that age and comorbidities, but not recent cytotoxic therapy, are associated with adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer. Particularly, patients with progressive disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.HighlightsAge, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.Recent cytotoxic therapy, however, did not seem to be associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer.
Authors: Sidse Ehmsen; Anders Asmussen; Stefan S Jeppesen; Anna Christine Nilsson; Sabina Østerlev; Hanne Vestergaard; Ulrik S Justesen; Isik S Johansen; Henrik Frederiksen; Henrik J Ditzel Journal: Cancer Cell Date: 2021-07-27 Impact factor: 31.743