Cancer associates with risk and severe events of COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Issue 2 (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Yehong; Qiu, Xiaowei; Wang, Chengxiang; Zhao, Jianxin; Jiang, Xin; Niu, Wenquan; Huang, Jinchang; Zhang, Fengyu
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 148:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: cancer -- comorbidity -- COVID‐19 -- meta‐analysis -- severe events; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract: Evidence is mounting to indicate that cancer patients may have more likelihood of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) but lack consistency. A robust estimate is urgently needed to convey appropriate information to the society and the public, in the time of ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis through a comprehensive literature search in major databases in English and Chinese, and two investigators conducted publication selection and data extraction independently. A meta‐analysis was used to obtain estimates of pooled prevalence of cancer in patients with COVID‐19 and determine the association of cancer with severe events, after assessment of potential heterogeneity, publication bias, and correction for the estimates when necessary. Total 38 studies comprising 7094 patients with COVID‐9 were included; the pooled prevalence of cancer was estimated at 2.3% (95% confidence limit [CL] [0.018, 0.029]; P < .001) overall and 3.2% (95% CL [0.023, 0.041]; P < .001) in Hubei province; the corresponding estimates were 1.4% and 1.9% after correction for publication bias; cancer was significantly associated with the events of severe cases (odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% CL [1.53, 3.17]; P < .001) and death (OR = 2.97, 95% CL [1.48, 5.96]; P = .002) in patients with COVID‐19, there was no significant heterogeneity and a minimal publication bias. We conclude that cancer comorbidity is associated with the risk and severe events of COVID‐19; special measures should be taken for individuals with cancer. Abstract : What's new? There is mounting evidence that cancer patients have a greater likelihood of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), but consistency is still lacking. This study provides the first estimate after correction for publication bias of cancer prevalence in patients with COVID‐19 based on a comprehensive literature search and analysis. The results show that patients with cancer and cancer survivors are at an elevated risk of developing COVID‐19 and are also 2‐ to 3‐fold more likely of suffering severe events and death. These findings have implications for public health, calling for the establishment of appropriate measures to manage cancer patients with COVID‐19.