Cancer comorbidity is associated with the risk and severe events of COVID-19

Objectives:
Evidence is mounting to indicate that cancer patients may have more likelihood of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but lack consistency. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Is cancer comorbidity (comorbidity refers to the presence of more than one disorder in the same person) associated with the risk and severe events of COVID-19?

Study design:
This review article included 38 studies comprising 7,094 patients with COVID-9.

There was no significant heterogeneity and a minimal publication bias.

Results and conclusions:   
The investigators found the pooled prevalence of cancer was estimated at 2.3% [95% confidence limit (CL) = 0.018 to 0.029, p 0.001] overall and 3.2% [95% CL = 0.023 to 0.041, p 0.001] in Hubei province.
The corresponding estimates were 1.4% and 1.9% after correction for publication bias.

The investigators found cancer was significantly associated with the events of severe cases [OR = 2.20, 95% CL = 1.53 to 3.17, p 0.001] and death [OR = 2.97, 95% CL = 1.48 to 5.96, p = 0.002] in patients with COVID-19.

The investigators concluded that cancer comorbidity is associated with the risk and severe events of COVID-19. Therefore, special measures should be taken for individuals with cancer.

Original title:
Cancer associates with risk and severe events of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Tian Y, Qiu X, […], Zhang F.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32683687/

Additional information of El Mondo:
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