Cancer has an independent association with death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a single-center study in Iran

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 could cause severe complications in those with pre-existing conditions such as cancer. Here, we aimed to assess the outcome of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with a history of cancer. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we extracted patients' records with any cancer history out of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our patients were admitted between February 20th up to July 15th. The primary outcome was death, and the secondary outcomes were overall survival, COVID-19 specific mortality, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. A group of individuals was selected out of the COVID-19 cohort without cancer history and matched for age, gender, and pre-existing conditions. We utilized univariate and multivariate logistic regression to analyze the association of studied variables and primary outcomes. Results: We identified 46 patients with cancer and COVID-19. The median age was 63, and 54.3% were male. According to the univariate logistic regression analysis, the death was 5.3 (CI95%: 1.75-15.85) times more probable in the cancer patients versus controls (p=0.003). The multivariate analysis adjusted for having cancer and sex, age, and having any comorbidity showed this figure was 5.5 (CI95%:1.8-16.8) (p=0.003). The 30- and 90-day COVID-19 specific mortality was 30% (CI95%:17-43) and 33% (CI95%: 20-46), respectively. Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 who have a history of cancer have a considerably higher risk of death irrespective of age, gender, and other pre-existing conditions. A group of cancer patients needs the most vigorous care.

Keywords

• Iran
• Cancer
• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• epidemic
• chemotherapy