Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19 in 1294 New Cancer Patients: Single-Center, Prospective Cohort Study from Iran

Abstract

Objective

To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in a large cohort of new cancer patients referred to an oncology clinic in the north of Iran.

Methods

During the 20-month COVID-19 pandemic, new cancer patients were followed-up. Demographic, pathologic, and clinical variables were collected for each patient. COVID-19 was confirmed based on a positive polymerase chain reaction test. Analyses were performed using the STATA version 14.0 at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

In this study, 1294 new cancer patients were followed for 24 months (mean age: 58.7 years [range 10–95]). During the study period, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 9.4% of the patients with hospitalization rate of 3.4%, an ICU admission rate of 0.7%, and COVID-19 mortality rate of 4.9%. Hematological malignancies (OR_U= 2.6, CI95% 1.28–5.34), receiving palliative treatments (OR_A=3.03, CI95% 1.6–5.45) and receiving radiotherapy (OR_A=2.07, 1.17–3.65) were the most common predictive factors of COVID infection in cancer patients. Also, the COVID mortality was higher in brain cancer patients (p = 0.07), metastatic disease (p = 0.01) and patients receiving palliative treatments (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

In patients suffering from cancer, COVID-19 infection can be predicted by cancer type, palliative care, and radiotherapy in cancer patients. Furthermore, brain cancers, metastasis, and palliative care were all associated with COVID-19-related mortality.

Keywords:

• Clinical characteristics
• COVID-19
• cancer
• cohort study

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all patients who participate in the project. Authors sincerely thank form Vasei Clinical Research Development Unit in Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, for provide advice and guidance in conducting this research.

Ethical approval

The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Babol University of Medical Sciences (IR.MUBABOL.REC.1400.051) and a written informed consent form was obtained from the patients or the legal guardian.

Author contributions

Study concept and design: S. A. J. and D. F.; acquisition of data: H. F. T., Y. R., M. A. F., D. J., and N. A.; analysis and interpretation of data: F. A., F. T. H, M. T.; drafting of the manuscript: F. A., F. T. H, M. T.; critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: S. A. J.; statistical analysis: F. A.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Data availability statement

All data generated and analyzed during this study can be accessed through direct communication with the corresponding author and the agreement of all research team members.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Babol University of Medical Sciences.