The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients' health and healthcare: findings from a cross-sectional survey on more than 3000 patients.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare for cancer patients is one of the greatest challenges facing the medical community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients' health and healthcare.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated and compared gender, symptoms, laboratory values, mortality, and ICU admission of COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative cancer patients in Shahroud and Mayamey from June 2020 to May 2021.

RESULTS

No statistically significant gender disparity was observed in the distribution of COVID-19-positive cancer patients. There was no correlation between age, gender, or lymphocyte count and mortality in these patients. COVID-19 patients with cancer required ICU admission more frequently than those without cancer. In terms of clinical symptoms, no significant differences were observed between the former groups, except that myalgia and arthralgia were less prevalent and mental status deterioration was more prevalent among COVID-19 patients with cancer. In comparison to COVID-19-negative cancer patients, COVID-19-positive cancer patients had significantly lower platelet counts and significantly higher blood sugar levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The coexistence of COVID-19 and cancer increases the risk of ICU admission and mortality, and makes patients susceptible to mental status deterioration, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglycemia.