Outcomes of COVID-19 and risk factors in patients with cancer - a cohort study

Background Patients with cancer who develop COVID-19 are at higher risk for severe disease and death. We aimed to study the outcomes of patients with cancer who were infected with SARS CoV2, and identify risk factors for adverse outcomes after COVID-19. Methods We included patients with cancer, who were diagnosed with SARS CoV2 between 11th April 2020 and February 2021 at a tertiary referral cancer centre in India. We collected data on age, sex, coexisting medical conditions, type of cancer, intent of cancer management, cancer treatment details, and severity and outcome of COVID-19. The primary outcome was a composite of severe COVID (defined as grade 6 or more on the WHO ordinal scale) or death within 30 days. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for severe COVID or death. Results We obtained data on 1253 patients with cancer and SARS CoV2 infection, of whom 293 (23.6%) had hematological malignancies. The severity of COVID was mild (grade 1 to 3 on WHO ordinal scale) in 1014 (81%) patients, moderate (WHO grade 4 or 5) in 167 (13%) patients and severe (WHO grade 6 or 7) in 72 (6%) patients. The primary outcome was seen in 160 patients (12.8%) and the all-cause 30-day mortality was 10.9% (138 deaths). Advanced age [adjusted OR 1.84 (0.86; 3.94)], history of smoking [aOR 1.78 (1.10; 2.91)], palliative intent of treatment [aOR 3.57 (2.48 to 5.12)] and presence of more than 2 comorbidities [aOR 1.66 (1.03 to 2.67)] were significant risk factors for severe COVID or death. Advanced age and palliative intent of treatment remained significant risk factors for 30-day mortality. Recent systemic anti-cancer therapy, sex or cancer type did not influence outcomes. Conclusion Most patients with cancer who developed COVID-19 in our setting had mild disease; the elderly and those treated with palliative intent were at higher risk of severe COVID-19 or death. Recent cancer therapy did not impact COVID-19 severity or outcomes suggesting that in most patients with cancer, the management of cancer should continue uninterrupted during the pandemic.