Clinical Profile and Outcomes of All Admitted COVID-19 Positive Patients with Primary Lung Cancer in a Tertiary Government COVID-19 Referral Center: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 infection poses a continuing challenge especially to those already with prior lung disease. To analyze such patients' profile is essential in today's health care management.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 confirmed patients with and without primary lung cancer in terms of hospital stay, recovery, and mortality.

METHODS

The study employed a retrospective cohort design. Chart review of all adult COVID-19 patients in Philippine General Hospital from January 2021 to June 2021 was done. A matched cohort study was conducted between COVID-19 patients with and without primary lung cancer.

RESULTS

Among the 953 COVID-19 patients, there were 14 patients with primary lung cancer. In terms of length of hospital stay, patients with primary lung cancer had shorter days from 1.32 to 15.1 days compared to 2.28 to 18.36 days in patients without primary lung cancer (p-value 0.271). Furthermore, they had 64% recovery rate compared to 78% in those without primary lung cancer (p-value 0.118). In terms of overall mortality rate, primary lung cancer patients had 36% rate as compared to 22% in the non-lung cancer group (p-value 0.119). Diabetes mellitus, mild to severe COVID, Remdesivir, and antibiotic use were associated with longer hospital stay while oxygen support via nasal cannula and invasive ventilation led to shorter hospital stay. Age above 50 years, chronic liver disease, other malignancy, shortness of breath, oxygen support via face mask, high flow nasal cannula, invasive ventilation, antibiotic use, hemoperfusion and nebulization showed a decrease chance of recovery while on contrary, Remdesivir showed an increase chance of recovery. An increase mortality rate was seen among age above 50 years, chronic liver disease, other malignancy, shortness of breath, oxygen support via facemask, high flow nasal cannula, invasive ventilation, antibiotics, hemoperfusion, and nebulization, in contrast to a decrease in Remdesivir therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Among all admitted COVID-19 patients, primary lung cancer patients were associated with shorter hospital stay (8.21 ± 6.89days), lower rate of recovery (64%), and higher mortality rate (36%) as compared to those without primary lung cancer. However, based on the computed p-values for each outcome, these differences are not statistically significant.