The Impact of Capacity Building in the Organ Donation Activity during an International Society of Nephrology -the Transplantation Society Sister Transplant Center (Isn-Tts Stc) Partnership

Introduction: In 2016, the International Society of Nephrology - The Transplantation Society (ISN-TTS) has granted the Sister Transplant Center (STC) to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) as an emerging center with the University of Barcelona (UB) as the supporting center. As part of capability building, partnership with Donation and Transplantation Institute (DTI) was integrated in the partnership. This has led in doing five (5) Intermediate Transplant Procurement Management courses of health care professionals from SPMC which provided access to strengthen the deceased organ donation activity thru education and training. There is a substantial increase in the number of cadaveric donor transplantation due to changes in the implementation of principles in transplant coordination and organ procurement management (Karatzas 2007). Education of health professionals will improve referral rates for potential donors (ODISSeA 2021). During COVID-19 pandemic, SPMC as end hospital referral facility has stop all donation and transplantation activity. In a report by Nimmo et al., COVID pandemic has shown to be an important limiting factor in the hospital's transplant program. Resumption of training was done and capability building was enhanced by the supporting center. After 6 years of partnership as STC, the impact of training and education in the organ donation activity within the framework of an ISN-TTS and SPMC partnership was then analyzed. Method(s): The hospital database on the organ donation activity and training records were used to analyze the information from 2016 to 2022. The periods were divided as Pre STC partnership in 2016 and the period after the STC implementation from 2017 to 2019. The period from 2020 - 2022 was divided into peri pandemic and pandemic recovery period. An observational descriptive study method was utilized for analysis. Result(s): The results have shown that in 2016 (pre-partnership) there were only 4 donor referrals per year with the partnership's implementation, the number of referrals significantly increased to 54, with a 151.85% increase in 2018 and 474.39% in 2019. The direct impact of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 decreased the number of referrals by 306.3% arriving finally to 7 referrals in 2021. The deceased donation program needed to be reactivated during 2022. Resumption of training for professionals on deceased donation process and management, and monthly evaluation of referred donors from experts from DTI helped achieve 657% increase in number of referrals. Conclusion(s): Implementing the ISN-TTS-STC partnership program of SPMC, UB and DTI has successfully increased the hospital organ donation and transplantation activity. During Covid-19, there is a decrease of activity in organ donation thus also has a direct relationship to the decrease in the number of referrals. Further, resumption of training program in organ donation after the pandemic has increased the program's activity. As a conclusion, capacity building has shown to have a direct impact in the organ donation activity. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Supporting Tech Founders—A Needs-Must Approach to the Delivery of Acceleration Programmes for a Post-Pandemic World

Along with most economic sectors, the COVID-19 crisis has had a strong impact on start-up accelerators, forcing them to seek urgent and imaginative solutions to quickly adapt to a new environment. The enforced change brought challenges that have been exacerbated by the sudden slowdown in economic activity. Despite these difficulties, it has become clear that the accelerated digital transformation that emerged through a needs-must approach to engage with start-ups through remote means has also presented new opportunities for accelerators to improve their programmes. This article analyses the impact of the COVID crisis on the organisation and results obtained by a European accelerator, which delivers programmes for growth stage technology start-ups. For this purpose, two very similar programmes have been analysed and compared: one focused on industrial technologies (delivered in 2019–2020) and another one focused on products and services built on space technologies (2020–2021). The research has been undertaken using observational techniques, reinforced through the collection of primary and secondary data throughout the study duration. The result of the analysis point to a possible post-COVID accelerator model that blends online and remote delivery as a new way of improving the experience of start-ups and optimising the use of scarce resources. © 2023 by the authors.

Anti-COVID-19 vaccination coverage in a group of obstetrician gynecologists from Venezuela

Objectives: Determining Anti-COVID-19 vaccination range in a group of Venezuelan obstetrician-gynecologists, specifying the type of vaccine received, according to the vaccination schedule, symptomatology, and level of pathology: mild, moderate, or severe. M ethod: Descriptive and cross-sectional study in 173 Venezuelan obstetrician-gynecologists, members of WhatsApp group. The information was collected by WhatsApp, through a survey consisting of five questions: did you receive a COVID-19 vaccine? If you received it, what type of vaccine did you get? Please indicate dose dates. Have you been diagnosticated with COVID-19? If you had the disease, on what date did you make the diagnosis? were you treated at home? Did you require hospitalization or warrant ICU? Results: The majority of respondents were vaccinated (82.08 %);one group has not done so (9.82 %) and another has yet to complete its vaccination schedule (8.09 %). Seven types of vaccines were applied: Sinopharm - Vero Cell (69.71 %), Sputnik V (20.42 %), Pfizer (4.92 %), Johnson and Johnson (2.11 %), Moderna (1.40 %), Sinovac (0.70 %) and one respondent received a mixed vaccination schedule: AstraZeneca in its first dose and Pfizer in the second (0.70 %). 30.05 % of respondents admitted to having suffered from COVID-19, there were two reinfections (3.86 %). One of them, three months after receiving the second dose of Sputnik V, the other reinfection was in an unvaccinated respondent. Forty-one of the fifty-four cases occurred in unvaccinated people (75.92 %), eight were post-vaccinated (15.81 %) between three and twelve weeks after the second dose, and five with incomplete vaccination schedules (9.25 %). There were eight severe cases (14.81 %), four unvaccinated (50 %), three with an incomplete vaccination schedule (37.5 %), and one post-vaccinated (12.5 %), infected three weeks after completing their vaccination schedule with Simopharm - Vero Cell. Three obstetrician-gynecologist doctors died (5.55 % lethality), and none completed their respective vaccination schedules. Conclusions: Doctors and the entire health team are at high risk of contagion when caring for patients. Vaccination coverage of this personnel must be total. © 2022 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.

Anti-COVID-19 vaccines: a look from the regulatory perspective

The development of anti-COVID-19 vaccines has been one of the main priorities of the global scientific community. To date, multiple vaccines have been approved for use by numerous countries, and the World Health Organization has already included some of these in its emergency use listing program. This paper offers information on these aspects and analyzes the colossal challenge that facing the growing development of vaccines against COVID-19 has represented for the regulatory sector, ensuring their quality, safety and efficacy. Similarly, new approaches in the development of clinical trials are addressed, or modifications in existing regulatory procedures that have been carefully adapted by regulatory agencies, without losing their scrutiny capacity and the integrity of the scientific-regulatory evaluation. © 2022, Finlay Ediciones. All rights reserved.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of prisoners infected and deceased by COVID-19, National Penitentiary Institute of Peru, 2020.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of inmates who were infected and died from COVID-19 in Peruvian prisons from April to October 2020. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study with a secondary data source. All the inmates who were infected and died from COVID-19 in Peruvian prisons during the study period were considered. The information was collected through the validated data collection sheet and was analyzed with descriptive statistics applying the SPSS v26 software. RESULTS: 37,103 (42.3%) inmates were analyzed out of a prison population of 87,754. All of them reactive to the rapid test, with a mean age of 39.9 ± 12.6 years; 95.5% were male. 60.1% were IgG reactive; 36.1% were IgM/IgG reactive and 3.8% were IgM reactive. 20.1% of reactive inmates had COVID-19 symptoms at the time of testing. The most frequent symptoms were headache (55.6%), general malaise (49.7%), fever (49.0%) and cough (48.0%). Among the risk factors for COVID-19 were: age over 60 years (8.4%), high blood pressure (2.8%) and diabetes mellitus (2.4%). 445 deaths were registered. Total fatality reached 1.2% of the number of infected. The highest number of deaths was recorded in April and May (89 and 162, respectively). DISCUSSION: The study findings imply different approaches to managing epidemics in the prison context compared to the general population. The short and long term scenarios are uncertain, but the need to reorganize the prison health system, and to prioritise and modernise it are evident. The long-delayed reform of the prison system and the measures that set out to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease in prisons are related processes in this regard.

DIGNITY AND JUST PRICES: THE MORAL ECONOMIES OF FARMING IN THE AGE OF AGRO-INDUSTRY

The hegemonic agro-food system currently dominant in Spain and other European countries challenges farmers' livelihoods. This paper addresses farmers' (un)sustainabilities from a moral economy perspective, focusing on discussions about just prices. We argue that it is important to consider the historical perspective of food systems from a political economy point of view and to examine tensions and clashes between values and norms through the notion of moral economy. We analyse these perspectives through various case studies in different Spanish regions: farmers in Galicia, viticulturists in El Penedes and "alternative" provisioning systems in Catalonia. Furthermore, we combine the moral economy perspective with feminist and eco-feminist contributions that help us to understand one of farmers' most common demands: just prices that guarantee livelihoods and dignity. This paper also deals with the ambivalent role of the state as a price regulator and with farmers' aspirations of autonomy from the market and the state. The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 during the first half of 2020 stresses the need to continue exploring the (un)sustainabilities of our hegemonic agro-food system and the potentialities and limitations of counter-hegemonic food provisioning systems that try to build alternative food paths.

COVID-19 in Parkinson's disease: what holds the key?

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is more frequent in the elderly and increases the risk of respiratory infections. Previous data on PD and SARS-CoV-2 are scarce, suggesting a poor prognosis in advanced disease and second-line therapies. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study comparing patients with PD and COVID-19 and patients with PD without COVID-19 was conducted during the pandemic period in Spain (March 1st-July 31st 2020) in a tertiary university hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (COVID-19 +) and 172 (COVID-19-) PD patients were included. Fifty-nine percent were males in both groups, with similar age (75.9 ± 9.0 COVID-19 + , 73.9 ± 10.0 COVID-19-), disease duration (8.9 ± 6.2 COVID-19 + , 8.5 ± 5.6 COVID-19-) and PD treatments. COVID-19 was mild in 10 (26%), required admission in 21 (54%) and caused death in 8 (21%) patients. Dementia was the only comorbidity more frequent in COVID-19 + patients (36% vs. 14%, p = 0.0013). However, in a multivariate analysis, institutionalization was the only variable associated with COVID-19 + (OR 17.0, 95% CI 5.0-60.0, p < 0.001). When considering severe COVID-19 (admission or death) vs. mild or absent COVID-19, institutionalization, neoplasm, dementia and a lower frequency of dopamine agonists were associated with severe COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, only institutionalization [OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.57-17, p = 0.004] and neoplasm [OR 8.0, 95%CI 1.27-49.8, p = 0.027] remained significantly associated. CONCLUSION: In our experience, institutionalization and oncologic comorbidity, rather than PD-related variables, increased the risk of developing COVID-19, and impacted on its severity. These findings suggest that epidemiologic factors and frailty are key factors for COVID-19 morbidity/mortality in PD. Appropriate preventive strategies should be implemented in institutionalized patients to prevent infection and improve prognosis.

SARS CoV2-encephalopathy with focal presentation. A CASE SERIES

Background and aims: SARS CoV2 encephalopathy is now a recognized entity. We present five cases of encephalopathy associated with SARS CoV2 with focal presentation. Methods: Case series Results: Five patients were included (4 males and one woman), mean age was 60 (58-76). Four patients required mechanical ventilation. The clinical presentation were aphasia (3/5), hemianopia (1/5), hemiparesis (1/5) and akinetic mutism (1/5) Metabolic disturbances and vascular etiology were ruled out. Neuroimaging with cranial CT with CT angiography or MRi was performed in all cases. In 3/5 CNS lumbar puncture was performed, showing mirror pattern oligoclonal bands in all of them. The clinic progressively improved until it disappeared in all of them. Conclusion: SARS CoV2 encephalopathy may present with focal symptoms. More studies are needed to elucidate its pathogenesis. As possible explanations, we propose inflammatory activation at the CNS level, sustained hypoxia. Direct CNS invasion seems less probable.

Reversibility of sleep disturbances after switching from DTG/3TC/ABC TO DRV/C/FTC/TAF

Background: Evidence supports switching DTG/3TC/ABC in patients complaining about insomnia. However, there is unknown if the benefit observed could also apply to non-complaining patients displaying sleep disturbances in self-reported questionnaires used as screening tools, such as the Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI). Methods: We designed the DETOX study, as an open label, randomized (1:1), multicenter, pilot clinical trial, to evaluate the reversibility of sleep disturbances detected with the PSQI in well-suppressed patients on DTG/3TC/ABC (>12 weeks) not complaining of insomnia. Participants with a PSQI >5 were randomized either to switch to DRV/c/FTC/TAF for 8 weeks (arm 1) or either to continue 4 weeks on DTG/3TC/ABC and then switch to DRV/c/FTC/TAF for 8 weeks (arm 2). Every 4 weeks, participants self-reported using the PSQI, the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS) and a questionnaire exploring about 11 neuropsychiatric adverse events (AE). Raw scores on PSQI and HADS, along with an average score from adding the grade of each neuropsychiatric AE, were normalized (0-100). Then we compared changes at week 4 (between study arms) and after participants completed 4 and 8 weeks on DRV/c/FTC/TAF. Additional analyses included virological outcomes. Results: The study included 72 participants (arm 1: n=37;arm 2: n=35). Both arms had similar baseline characteristics. Three discontinued prematurely before week 4 (arm 1: none;arm 2: 1 COVID-19, 1 loss of follow up (LFU) and 1 consent withdrawal). At week 4, we observed significant improvements (arm 1 vs. arm 2) in PSQI (mean change±SD: 11.5±10.2 vs. 0.6±8.9;p<0.001), HADs anxiety scale (14±16.9 vs. 1.9±15.6;p=0.003) and AE (13.7±13.3 vs. 1.3±8.6;p<0.001) scores. Sixty-nine participants switched to DRV/c/FTC/TAF: 37 at baseline (arm 1) and 32 at week 4 (arm 2). All except 3 who discontinued prematurely (2 LFU and 1 due to AE nausea) completed 8 weeks of follow up. Pooled analysis showed significant improvements in most neuropsychiatric scores and symptoms (table), with no virologic failures reported. After switching to DRV/c/FTC/TAF, 26 participants (37.7%) reported any AE (all grade 1-2). Most common AE were headache (7.2%) and dyslipidemia (7.2%). Conclusion: Sleep disturbances detected through self-reported screening tools seem to be associated with patients on DTG/3TC/ABC not complaining of insomnia. These disturbances, among other neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety or depression, could improve after switching to DRV/c/FTC/TAF.

Child emotion regulation (ER) skills and specific parenting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to influence children adjustment in these unprecedented times

On this assumption, we first aimed to examine the predictive value of ER skills in relation to diverse indicators of behavioral and socioemotional adjustment. Then, we tested whether some of these associations could be partially explained through the mediator role of the specific parenting practices displayed within the pandemic context. These hypotheses were tested considering the previous levels of child reactivity as a potential moderator of the examined relations. Using parent-reported data from a sample of 874 Galician children (49.6% girls) aged 5 to 9 (Mage = 7.09;SD = 1.04), multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted. Robust associations between ER skills and diverse indicators of child adjusment were found. Moreover, it was found that specific parenting practices mediate the relation between child ER skills and specific behavioral outcomes (i.e., child routine maintenance). Thus, our findings highlight the importance of ER skills for child adjustment during the COVID-19 crisis, not only through direct, but also indirect effects, suggesting that the kind of parenting style that children receive during the pandemic conditions might be partially elicited by their individual characteristics. Copyright © 2020 RPCNA.

TCT CONNECT-223 Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Population Older Than 75 Years With Previous Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization: Subanalysis of the SIERRA 75 Registry

Background: In the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, elderly people with cardiovascular risk factors and/or cardiovascular disease have been the most seriously affected. We sought to evaluate the impact of the pandemic, due to both the social confinement and the infection itself, in the population of patients older than 75 years of age with previous percutaneous coronary revascularization. Methods: A subgroup of patients from the SIERRA 75 registry were included in the study. This is a prospective registry of patients older than 75 years undergoing percutaneous revascularization in 42 centers in Spain and Portugal. The follow-up of the patients has been updated, covering the entire period of outbreak and confinement (March 14–May 10, 2020) through direct telephone contact to carry out a specific questionnaire for patients and their relatives. In addition, all electronic health records have been reviewed. Results: A total of 709 patients have been included, of whom 17 had died in the 12.5 ± 3.4 months follow-up before the start of the outbreak and lockdown. Therefore, 692 patients were followed during the study period (mean age of 80.8 ± 4.2 years, 37% women). During this period, 11 (1.6%) had confirmed COVID-19 (age 81.2 ± 5 years, 36% women) of which 8 were admitted to the hospital but none in the intensive care unit. Among the 11 cases, 2 (18%) died, an 80-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, both in Hospital. COVID-19 incidence was higher than in the global population in the region (1.6% vs. 0.4%;p < 0.0001). During this period of confinement, 91 patients (13%) presented cardiac symptoms (21 stable angina, 82 dyspnea, and 6 syncope). Medical attention was demanded by 43 (6.2%), of whom 22 were admitted in hospitals. There were 4 cases with acute coronary syndrome and 4 underwent revascularization. Death was reported in 7 (1%) patients (2 due to COVID-19, 4 due to cardiovascular disease, and 1 due to multiple pathologies). The monthly mortality rate in this period was 2.6 times higher than in the previous months. Outpatient visits were canceled in 119 cases (17%) but 108 were contacted by phone. Conclusion: In this elderly population with coronary artery disease revascularized before the pandemic, an increase in cardiovascular and general morbidity as well as in total mortality was observed during the outbreak and confinement period. Incidence of COVID-19 was higher than in the general population. Mortality among COVID-19 patients was very high. Categories: OTHER: COVID-19

TCT CONNECT-216 Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Population Older Than 75 Years With Previous Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization: Experience in Spain and Portugal

Background: In the COVID-19 pandemic, elderly people with cardiovascular risk factors and/or cardiovascular disease have been the most seriously affected. We sought to evaluate the impact of the pandemic, due to both the social confinement and the infection itself, in the population of patients older than 75 years of age with previous percutaneous coronary revascularization. Methods: A subgroup of patients from the SIERRA 75 registry were included in the study. This is a prospective registry of patients older than 75 years undergoing percutaneous revascularization in 42 centers in Spain and Portugal. The follow-up of the patients has been updated, covering the entire period of outbreak and confinement (March 14 to May 10) through direct telephone contact to carry out a specific questionnaire for patients and their relatives. In addition, all electronic health records have been reviewed. Results: A total of 709 patients have been included. Among those, 17 had died in the 12.5 ± 3.4 months follow-up prior to the start of the outbreak-confinement period. Therefore, 692 patients were followed during the study period: (mean age of 80.8 ± 4.2 years, 37% were women, 83% with hypertension, 44% with diabetes, 75% with previous STEMI/NSTEMI, 100% with previous PCI). During this period, 11 (1.6%) had confirmed COVID-19 (age 81.2 ± 5 years, 36% women). Eight were admitted to the hospital but none in the ICU. Among the 11 cases, 2 (18%) died, an 80-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, both in the hospital. COVID-19 incidence was higher than in the global population in the region (1.6% vs. 0.4%;p < 0.0001). During this period of confinement, 91 patients (13%) presented cardiac symptoms (21 stable angina, 82 dyspnea and 6 syncope). Medical attention was demanded by 43 (6.2%), of whom 22 were admitted to the hospital. There were 4 (0.6%) cases with acute coronary syndrome and 4 (0.6%) underwent revascularization. Death was reported in 7 (1%) patients (2 due to COVID-19, 4 due to cardiovascular disease, and 1 due to multiple pathologies). The monthly mortality rate in this period was 2.6 times higher than in the previous months. Outpatient visits were canceled in 119 cases (17%) but 108 were contacted by phone. Conclusion: In this elderly population with coronary artery disease revascularized before the pandemic, an increase in cardiovascular and general morbidity as well as in total mortality was observed during the outbreak and confinement. Incidence of COVID-19 was higher than in the general population. Mortality among COVID-19 patients was very high. Categories Other: COVID-19

COVID-19 impact and predictive factors for mortality in cancer patients

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that has been responsible for the largest pandemic in the last century: COVID-19. This disease has widely affected Spain with a high lethality in ancient patients (pts) and with comorbidities. Oncological pts were not an exception. Methods: We evaluated the association between COVID-19 mortality and clinical/laboratory/radiological parameters in cancer pts from March to April 2020 at our institution. Past medical history and COVID-19-related parameters (symptoms, laboratory/x-ray findings and treatments) were retrospectively collected. Univariate analysis (UA) has been done using Fisher exact and U-Mann-Withney test for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Multivariant analysis (MA) has been done using logistic regression. Results: Forty three hospitalized pts were diagnosed with COVID-19;30 pts (69.8%) were symptomatic on admission and 13 pts (30.2%) were hospital-acquired cases. Median age was 68.8 ± 7.8 years. Most part of the pts had gastrointestinal (GI) (13;30.2%), thoracic (Tx) (12;27.9%) and breast (6;14%) cancer. A higher prevalence of Tx tumours compared to our new pts prevalence is observed (9%). Fever was the most common symptom (27;62.8%) and bilateral pneumonia was observed in 24 pts (55.8%). SARS-Co-V-2 PCR was positive in 34 pts (79.1%). Hydroxychloroquine was administered in 35 pts (81.4%), steroids and antiretrovirals in 19 pts (44.1%) and tocilizumab in 12 pts (27.9%). Mortality rate due to COVID-19 was 30.23% (13 pts) and 8 pts could resume oncological treatment. Hypertension (HTA) and previous daily steroids given during last month before admission;as well as performance status, fever, Curb-65, SOFA score and D-Dimer (DD) at admission were associated with COVID-19 mortality in UA. Similarly, high flow oxygen requirements during hospitalization and DD at 72 hours are predictors of mortality. HTA [OR: 8.3 (1-5-70.1)], steroids [OR: 10.7 (1.3 – 143.8)] and fever [OR: 0.09 (0.01 – 0.55)]were also associated in MA. Conclusions: COVID-19 showed a relative higher incidence in pts with Tx and GI tumours. Some clinical and laboratory parameters were found to be predictive factors for mortality as previously reported in non-cancer pts. Further investigations with larger number of pts are needed. Legal entity responsible for the study: HM Hospitales. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

COVID-19 severe pneumonia in cancer patients: Impact and predictive factors

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that has been responsible for the largest pandemic in the last century: COVID-19. Some patients (pts) develop a severe pneumonia with higher mortality rate. Oncological population could be at higher risk. Methods: We evaluated the association between COVID-19 severe pneumonia and clinical/laboratory/radiological parameters in cancer pts admitted to our institution from March to April 2020. We considered a severe pneumonia if the patient required more than 5L supplemental oxygen. Past medical history and COVID-19-related parameters (such as symptoms, laboratory/x-ray findings and specific treatments for the COVID-19) were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis have been done using logistic regression. Results: Forty-three cancer pts were hospitalized with COVID-19 diagnosis;27 pts (62.8%) were male. Median age was 68.8 ± 7.8 years. Most part of the pts had gastrointestinal (13;30.2%), thoracic (12;27.9%) and breast (6;14%) cancer. 33 pts (83.7%) presented pneumonia, which was bilateral in 24 pts (55.8%). Median basal saturation of oxygen (O2) was 92% (87-94.5). Severe pneumonia was observed in 23 pts (53.5%). In these patients, the most common symptoms were dyspnea (16;69.6%), cough (14;60.9%) and fever (11;47.8%). Hydroxychloroquine was administered in 20 pts (87%), antiretrovirals in 14 pts (60.9%), steroids in 13 pts (56.5%) and tocilizumab in 9 pts (39%). Mortality rate due to COVID-19 was 84.6% in pts with severe pneumonia versus 15.4% in the rest of patients (p=0.03). Thoracic cancer and diabetes were associated with severe pneumonia development in univariate analysis. Thoracic cancer [OR: 12.0 (1.8 – 246.5)] was also associated in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Severe pneumonia was frequent in cancer patients with COVID-19 admitted to our institution and was associated with a high mortality rate. Thoracic tumours were found to be a risk factor for developing severe pneumonia. Further investigations with larger number of pts are needed. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.