Mortality of lung cancer patients versus other cancer patients infected with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

@#Objective    To compare the mortality in lung cancer patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) versus other cancer patients infected with COVID-19. Methods    A computer search of PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang database, VIP database and CNKI database was conducted to compare the mortality of lung cancer and other cancers patients infected with COVID-19 from the inception to December 2021. Two thoracic surgeons independently screened the literature, extracted data, and then cross-checked the literature. After evaluating the quality of the included literature, a meta-analysis was performed on the literature using Review Manager 5.4 software. Results    A total of 12 retrospective cohort studies were included, covering 3 065 patients infected with COVID-19, among whom 340 patients suffered from lung cancer and the remaining 2 725 patients suffered from other cancers. Meta-analysis results showed that the lung cancer patients infected with COVID-19 had a higher mortality (OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.24 to 2.02, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis results showed that the mortality of two groups of patients in our country was not statistically different (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.49 to 1.65, P=0.72). Whereas, patients with lung cancer had a higher mortality than those with other cancers in other countries (Brazil, Spain, USA, France, Italy, UK, Netherlands) (OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.37 to 2.32, P<0.001). Conclusion    There is a negligible difference in mortality between lung cancer and other cancers patients who are infected with COVID-19 in our country; while a higher mortality rate is found in lung cancer patients in other countries. Consequently, appropriate and positive prevention methods should be taken to reduce the risk of infecting COVID-19 in cancer patients and to optimize the management of the infected population.