COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome—an analysis of the LEOSS registry

Rüthrich MM, Giessen-Jung C, Borgmann S, Classen AY, Dolff S, Grüner B, Hanses F, Isberner N, Köhler P, Lanznaster J, Merle U, Nadalin S, Piepel C, Schneider J, Schons M, Strauss R, Tometten L, Vehreschild JJ, von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Beutel G, Wille K (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

DOI: 10.1007/s00277-020-04328-4

Abstract

Introduction: Since the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cancer patients have been assumed to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19. Here, we present an analysis of cancer patients from the LEOSS (Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients) registry to determine whether cancer patients are at higher risk. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 435 cancer patients and 2636 non-cancer patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, enrolled between March 16 and August 31, 2020. Data on socio-demographics, comorbidities, cancer-related features and infection course were collected. Age-, sex- and comorbidity-adjusted analysis was performed. Primary endpoint was COVID-19-related mortality. Results: In total, 435 cancer patients were included in our analysis. Commonest age category was 76–85 years (36.5%), and 40.5% were female. Solid tumors were seen in 59% and lymphoma and leukemia in 17.5% and 11% of patients. Of these, 54% had an active malignancy, and 22% had recently received anti-cancer treatments. At detection of SARS-CoV-2, the majority (62.5%) presented with mild symptoms. Progression to severe COVID-19 was seen in 55% and ICU admission in 27.5%. COVID-19-related mortality rate was 22.5%. Male sex, advanced age, and active malignancy were associated with higher death rates. Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, age distribution and comorbidity differed significantly, as did mortality (14% vs 22.5%, p value < 0.001). After adjustments for other risk factors, mortality was comparable. Conclusion: Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, outcome of COVID-19 was comparable after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. However, our results emphasize that cancer patients as a group are at higher risk due to advanced age and pre-existing conditions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Jena Germany (DE) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Germany (DE) Klinikum Ingolstadt Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Köln Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Essen Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Ulm Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Regensburg Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln Germany (DE) Klinikum Passau Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Tübingen Germany (DE) Klinikum Bremen-Mitte Germany (DE) Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann Germany (DE) Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) / Hannover Medical School Germany (DE) Technische Universität München (TUM) Germany (DE) Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Rüthrich, M.M., Giessen-Jung, C., Borgmann, S., Classen, A.Y., Dolff, S., Grüner, B.,... Wille, K. (2020). COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome—an analysis of the LEOSS registry. Annals of Hematology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-020-04328-4

MLA:

Rüthrich, Maria Madeleine, et al. "COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome—an analysis of the LEOSS registry." Annals of Hematology (2020).

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