Evaluation of the impact of Covid-19 infection on the evolution and prognosis of patients with acute leukaemia

ABSTRACT

Introduciton COVID19 is one of the largest pandemics. Since December 2019 until now the coronavirus has infected over 131 million people. The mortality rate in the general population varies between 1 to 5%, with a potential of over 30% in patients with neoplasms. Methods: The main objective of the study was to identify some peculiarities of the evolution, complications and treatment of patients with acute leukaemia and COVID-19. The study was retrospective and included 50 patients with acute leukaemia and COVID-19. Results: Recent administration of chemotherapy was identified in 20 patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia and 4 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The newly diagnosed patients or those undergoing intensive chemotherapy, in particular elderly patients, had a severe form of COVID-19 and an unfavourable evolution, and these clinical situations were identified as predictive factors for adverse outcomes. Patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia had a shorter survival curve compared to patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia. Pneumonia was present especially in patients with acute myeloblastic leukaemia, most patients having over 30% of lung fields affected (55.26%). Patients with an unfavourable outcome had significantly increased median values of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and interleukin6. Conclusions: Patients with acute leukaemia, especially acute myeloblastic leukaemia who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection require special attention because they may associate complications and adverse outcomes of COVID-19. The results we obtained require evaluation in a larger group of patients and analysis in the follow-up period after COVID-19.