Clinical aspects of covid-19 in cancer patients

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has represent-ed a scientific and sanitary challenge in recent months. Subjects of advanced age appear to be the most frequently affected;in addition, these tend to present comorbidities such as hyperten-sion, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer;worsening the prognosis and clinical course of the infection. The impact of the pandemic on oncologic patients has been massive. Observational studies have shown that infection rates tend to be much higher in cancer patients in comparison with the general population. Like-wise, oncologic patients have greater risk of de-veloping severe complications of COVID-19, including death. Moreover, cancer treatments im-plicate constant visits to healthcare institutions, significantly increasing the risk of viral transmission independently of the treatment received. Furthermore, various antineoplastic treatments have immunosuppressing effects, and treating oncologists face the uncertainty of suspend-ing or continuing treatment in patients at risk of COVID-19. The objective of this review is to ad-dress relevant clinical aspects of COVID-19 in patients with cancer, and revise current recommendations regarding therapeutic management in this context.

Mental health of patients with chronic diseases during the covid-19 pandemic

During the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) it has been shown that, in comparison with the general population, elderly adults, patients with chronic diseases (CD), and patients with severe mental disorders are among the groups with greater risk of complications. Although stress and anxiety are normal reactions in a crisis situation, the negative effect the COVID-19 pandemic may influence the clinical evolution of patients with CD, whose development and management is intimately linked with mental health. The therapeutic management of CD demands ac-tive participation from patients, with a notorious emphasis on self-care, encompassing the adherence to pharmaco-logical schemes, specific dietary patterns, physical activity prescriptions, and other elements. This high degree of re-sponsibility, added to the effects of the CD themselves on patients’ quality of life, may represent a powerful detriment on their mental health;constituting a vicious circle in regards to their self-care. The COVID-19 pandemic, the quarantine, and other related measures may magnify the impact of these factors on mental health. This has created new challenges and the need for novel strategies of psychosocial support from the healthcare personnel, family members, and care-takers to guarantee treatment adherence, improve care from home, and achieve adequate control of the evolution of the disease.