Cancer and COVID-19 in Gaza strip-Palestine: What do we know?

Abstract

As we know cancer patients are considered very vulnerable in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aimed to determine the association between the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with and without cancer. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 60 adult patients with and without a history of cancer and with confirmed COVID-19 infection recruited in Al Shifa hospital of Gaza strip as a case-control study from Mars 12, 2022 to Mai 20, 2022. Logistic regression models were performed to explore the risk factors of mortality. Results: Thirty cancer patients (cancer group, mean age 57.9± 19.9; median age 60 years; 43.3% were female) and 30 non-cancer patients were identified (non-cancer group, mean age 42.17±14.8; median 40 years; 46.7% were female). Intensive care unit admission was higher in the non-cancer group (63.3%) than in the cancer group (26.7%). The mortality rate was higher in the cancer group (40.0%) than in the non-cancer group (33.3%) and the admission to Intensive care unit remains the strongest risk factor for mortality for cancerous patients (OR= 11.9;95%CI:2.26-62.59, p=0.003). Conclusion: Cancer patients with COVID-19 infection reported a poor prognosis, a closed care, management, and monitoring can improve the outcome of the disease.