Abstract 1763P
Background
In the new era the COVID-19 disease became a world-wide pandemic in a short time, medical practice is predicted to be affected due to the both physician and patient tendencies, and usage of limited diagnosis and treatment opportunities for the outbreak. In this study we investigated the characteristics of the patients who received chemotherapy (CT) or supportive treatments at the Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital Daily Treatment Unit in the first 60 days after the first case was detected in Turkey.
Methods
Patients recieved any CT or any kind of supportive treatment between 11th March 2020-10th May 2020 and 11th March 2019-10th May 2019 were included to the study. Demographic properties and diagnoses of the patients, number of protocols and sessions applied, and non-chemotherapy treatments were investigated retrospectively.
Results
Between 11 th March 2020 and 10th May 2020 the average daily chemotherapy (CT) sessions apllied decreased by 7% compared to the same period of the previous year. Patients receiving treatment for the first time decreased by 50% in the COVID period comparing to the last year and decreased from 146 to 73 (p=0.03). (Table) Supportive hydration treatments applied to an average of 8.3 patients daily decreased by 55% to an average of 3.8 per day. In the 2019 a total of 137 transfusions were performed while in the period of COVID-19, the number of transfusions decreased by 29% to 98. Table: 1763P
Distrubiton of total and mean chemotherapy cycles in 2019 and COVID-19 period
| No of Patients | Female/ Male | Mean age | No. of CT protocols | Total cylces applied | Cycles applied per day | First dose of a cycle apllied | Mean first dose apllied | Newly diagnosed patients | New diagnosed patients per day | |
| 11th March-10th May 2019 | 933 | 502/431 | 56.3 (18-86) | 972 | 2811 | 70.2 | 294 | 7.3 | 146 | 3.6 |
| 11th March-10th May 2020 | 913 | 506/407 | 57.4 (18-92) | 944 | 2625 | 65.6 | 206 | 5.2 | 73 | 1.8 |
Conclusions
A minimal change was observed in the total number of chemotherapy applied during the pandemic period. It is imperative that treatment units continue to work because most of the treatments in oncology practice is not postponable. Decrease in patients who received treatment for the first time is a parameter that should be followed closely. Hesitation of the patients having symptoms to consult a doctor or prolong the diagnosis period may prevent the diagnosis of curable disease on time. Similarly, delay in patients' access to supportive treatments, may lead to an increase morbidity and mortality.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.