1732P - Prognostic indicators for COVID-19 related deaths in patients with cancer

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted significantly on health systems across the globe. It has been reported to have higher incidence and to be associated with worse outcomes in patients with cancer. Beaumont Hospital is a large Dublin-based teaching hospital which was at the centre of the Irish outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods

During the period 11^th March to 15^th May 2020, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection who were attending Beaumont Hospital for systemic anti-cancer therapy were included. Data were collected by chart review. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Cancer-related prognosis was estimated using the Palliative Prognostic Score (PAP) with a score ≥11 associated with a 30-day survival of <30%.

Results

In total, 717 patients attended oncology services for cancer directed treatment during the study period. 27 of these patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 based on RT-PCR. A further 4 patients were diagnosed clinically due to characteristic symptoms and radiology. The median age was 60 (38-84). 12 (39%) were female. The most common cancer type was lung n=9 (29%). 21 (67%) had metastatic disease; 4 (13%) locally advanced disease and 6 (19%) were being treated with curative intent. Of the 31 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 25 (80%) were hospitalised and none were admitted to intensive care. In total, 12/31 (41%) died, of which 5 (41%) had lung cancer, 10 (83%) had an PS of ≥3 and 3 (25%) had received systemic anti-cancer treatment in the last 30 days of life. The median age was 66 (38-84). 4 (33%) were female. All had incurable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. The mean time from diagnosis to death was 9.5 days. Those with an ECOG performance status (PS) ≥3 were more likely to die than those with PS ≤2 (p<0.001).Compared to those who recovered, patients who died from COVID-19 had higher mean number of organs affected by cancer (3.7 vs. 1.8, p=0.015) and higher mean PAP score (9.6 vs. 1.5, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with cancer who contracted COVID-19 and died had more sites of metastatic disease, a poorer performance status, and a higher Palliative Prognostic Score. The presence of multi-organ involvement appears to predict for poorer outcomes in COVID-19 positive cancer patients.

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.