SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection Aggravates Physical and Mental Health in Cancer Patients Compared to Co‐Living Individuals

TL;DR

Cancer patients with COVID-19 face worse physical and mental health outcomes than co-living individuals, even a year later.

Contribution

This study compares long-term physical and psychological effects of SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients and co-living individuals.

Findings

Cancer patients had higher rates of gastrointestinal symptoms and worse psychological outcomes.

Advanced-stage cancer and lack of vaccination correlated with worse mental health in cancer patients.

Cancer patients showed elevated inflammation and thrombosis markers compared to co-living individuals.

Abstract

Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the psychological sequels of COVID‐19 due to their immunocompromised state and the disruptions to their regular oncological care. There is limited research comparing the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 on cancer patients and their co‐living individuals. This study aims to explore the similarities and differences in physical and psychological outcomes between these two groups, with a 1‐year follow‐up to assess long‐term effects.

This retrospective observational study was conducted between January and February 2023. A total of 107 participants were included: 72 cancer patients and 35 co‐living individuals, all diagnosed with COVID‐19. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Depression, anxiety, and fatigue were assessed at two timepoints: shortly after COVID‐19 diagnosis and 1 year later.

Cancer patients exhibited higher rates of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea (20.83% vs. 5.71%, p = 0.045), which were associated with increased anxiety and depression (p < 0.05). Advanced‐stage cancer (p < 0.01) and lack of vaccination (p < 0.01) correlated with worse psychological outcomes. Female cancer patients reported higher depression scores (p < 0.05). Laboratory findings indicated higher neutrophil percentages (p < 0.001), fibrinogen (p < 0.001), and D‐dimer levels (p = 0.015) in cancer patients, signaling a higher risk of inflammation and thrombosis. Both groups showed improvements in depression and fatigue over the 1‐year follow‐up, but cancer patients continued to report greater psychological distress (p < 0.001) and fatigue (p = 0.024).

Cancer patients infected with COVID‐19 experienced more severe physical and psychological symptoms compared to their co‐living individuals, with persistent differences 1 year after infection.

ChiCTR2300067577

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