[A retrospective analysis of risk factors for severity of nosocomial COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancy].

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With the global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), patients with cancer may be at a higher risk of suffering from COVID-19. Although patients with hematological malignancy (HM) are reported to have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 compared with those with solid cancer, the effects of treatment for HM on COVID-19 severity have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the risk factors, including number and timing of chemotherapeutic regimens for HM, for COVID-19 severity in 17 patients with HM, who had developed nosocomial COVID-19 in our department, by dividing them into two groups; a severe group (N=7) and a non-severe group (N=10). RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 47%, and mortality in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the non-severe group (odds ratio [OR], 18.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1223.17, P=0.02). Univariate analysis identified two or more chemotherapeutic regimens for HM (OR, 17.34; 95%CI, 1.15-1165.33, P=0.03) and a low hemoglobin level (P=0.02) as significant risk factors for COVID-19 severity. However, a history of chemotherapy for HM within 3 months prior to the onset of COVID-19 was not a significant risk factor (P=0.54). CONCLUSION: A history of multiple chemotherapeutic regimens in patients with HM may be a risk factor for COVID-19 severity, and physicians should be aware of this.