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[Features of COVID-19 infection among patients with hematological malignancies]
Gian Fissore1, Stephan Skog2, Jaime Lastra3
1Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente, Concepción, Chile.
Insights
Patients with hematologic malignancies face severe COVID-19. This study found a higher fatality rate in this group, with female sex, comorbidities, and obesity being risk factors for mortality.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Context:
- Patients with hematologic malignancies are a vulnerable population for severe COVID-19.
- Understanding COVID-19 outcomes in this group is critical for clinical management.
Purpose:
- To describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19.
- To identify risk factors associated with mortality in this patient cohort.
Summary:
- A review of 30 patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 in Chile revealed a 17% mortality rate.
- Comorbidities, female sex, and obesity were associated with increased mortality.
- Mechanical ventilation did not significantly alter survival rates in this series.
Impact:
- This study highlights the heightened risk of COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies.
- Findings can inform clinical decision-making and resource allocation for this high-risk population.
- Further research is warranted to explore specific therapeutic strategies.
Background:
COVID-19 infection can be especially severe in certain risk populations such as patients with hematologic malignancies.
Aim:
To describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of a population of patients with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19.
Material And Methods:
Review of medical records of patients with COVID-19 and hematologic malignancies, treated in Hematology Service of a regional hospital in Chile, between April 1 and October 30, 2020. Demographic characteristics, chronic comorbidities and clinical characteristics related to the underlying disease and COVID-19 infection were recorded.
Results:
Thirty adults aged 17 to 73 years (67% men) with COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR, were evaluated. Forty percent had comorbidities, mainly hypertension (30%), obesity (27%) and diabetes (10%). Two thirds of cases came from a nosocomial outbreak and 77% were symptomatic. Half of the cases had mild disease and 20% required mechanical ventilation. Five patients (17%) died from COVID 19. Female sex, the presence of comorbidities and obesity were more common among deceased patients. Only 1 of 5 deceased patients were in complete remission. No differences were found in the mean survival according to requirement for intubation or the presence of complete remission.
Conclusions:
This population with hematologic malignancies and COVID-19 had special characteristics leading to a greater fatality rate which, in this series, does not increase with the use of mechanical ventilation.
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