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Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare systems globally, with cancer patients representing a particularly vulnerable group. This study aims to evaluate the influence of COVID-19 on cancer, focusing on infection rates, types of care, therapy adjustments, and factors associated with COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods This single-center retrospective analysis included adult cancer patients who underwent anticancer therapy at King Khalid Hospital in Najran, Saudi Arabia, from December 20, 2020, to January 23, 2022. Data on patient and cancer characteristics, COVID-19 specifics, treatment delays, outcomes, and factors associated with COVID-19 were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 257 chemotherapy recipients were interviewed. The mean age was 52.6 ± 14.4 years, with 44 (17.1%) over 65 years old. Females comprised 160 (62.3%) of the patients. The most common malignancies were gastrointestinal (71, 27.6%), breast (70, 27.2%), and hematological (50, 19.5%). Metastasis was present in 116 patients (45.1%). Common comorbidities included diabetes (68, 26.5%) and hypertension (55, 21.4%). Most patients (226, 87.9%) were vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 tested positive in 22 patients (8.6%), with a lower infection rate in vaccinated patients (7 vs. 15, p < 0.001). Most cases were mild (18, 81.8%), with fever (19, 7.4%) and cough and fatigue (17, 6.6%) being the most common symptoms. The median time to resume treatment post-infection was 30 days. Factors associated with higher infection rates included diabetes (OR: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.94-12.03, p = 0.001), coronary artery disease (OR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.07-13.30, p = 0.049), chronic lung disease (OR: 15.58, 95% CI: 5.37-45.79, p < 0.001), chronic liver disease (OR: 7.64, 95% CI: 2.38-22.98, p < 0.001), and multiple comorbidities (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.46-2.90, p < 0.001), cancer patients who received chemotherapy (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.12-12.79, p = 0.027), and immunotherapy (OR: 3.37, 95% CI:1.27-8.43, p = 0.012). Conclusion The incidence of COVID-19 in cancer patients is proportional to the prevalence in the general population of similar geographic areas. Diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and multiple comorbidities were associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates.
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BACKGROUND: Anemia, a common complication of cancer and its treatments, significantly affects cancer patients' survival and quality of life. Nevertheless, there is limited research conducted in the southern region of Saudi Arabia regarding its effects. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anemia, as well as its associated factors, among cancer patients undergoing active chemotherapy treatment. METHOD: This retrospective study analyzed adult cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy at King Khaled Hospital's oncology department in Najran, Saudi Arabia, between 2017 and 2022. We aimed to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of anemia through comprehensive demographic and clinical assessment. Univariate analysis was performed to assess factors necessitating blood transfusion. RESULT: A total of 95 cancer patients received chemotherapy, with a mean age of 52.2 ± 16.5 years. The majority were females (65.3%) aged between 18 and 64 years (74.7%). Gastrointestinal (42.1%) and breast (17.9%) cancers were the most prevalent malignancies. Most patients (56.8%) were in locally advanced stages. Anemia was present at admission in 48 (50.5%) patients with a higher prevalence among colorectal and genitourinary tract cancer patients. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) drop during treatment was 9.1 ± 2.1 g/dL. Anemia severity was stratified as follows: life-threatening (7.4%), severe (33%), moderate (31%), and lower limited (29%). Blood transfusions were required in 79% of cases. Advanced age, increased chemotherapy cycles, and anemia of chronic disease (ACD) were significantly associated with increased anemia severity (p<0.05). Increasing chemotherapy cycles also correlated with an increased need for blood transfusion (p<0.001). Older patients (≥65 years) had higher anemia at admission, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, more Hb decrease during treatment, and increased need for blood transfusions (p<0.05) compared to younger patients (<65 years). CONCLUSION: The study noted a high prevalence of anemia (50.5%) in patients receiving active cancer treatment, specifically in the context of genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Advanced age, frequent chemotherapy cycles, and ACD were associated with increased severity of anemia. Furthermore, older patients displayed a higher frequency of anemia, poorer performance status, and an increased requirement for transfusions with an escalating number of chemotherapy cycles.
