Decoding the historical tale: COVID-19 impact on haematological malignancy patients—EPICOVIDEHA insights from 2020 to 2022

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • EPICOVIDEHA registry - (Author)
  • Department of Internal Medicine I
  • University of Cologne
  • Partner Site Bonn-Cologne
  • IRCCS Istituti fisioterapici ospitalieri - Istituto Regina Elena
  • Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
  • Masaryk University
  • Azienda Ospedaliera S. Luigi Gonzaga
  • Hospital Provincial de Ávila
  • University of Copenhagen
  • Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E.
  • Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • ADRZ
  • La Paz University Hospital
  • CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network
  • Mansoura University
  • King Abdullah Medical City
  • Centre Hospitalier de Versailles
  • Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
  • University of Groningen
  • Azienda Ospedaliera Nazionale SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo
  • Hospital Universitario de Burgos
  • Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori
  • University of Milan - Bicocca
  • University Hospital Dubrava
  • Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
  • University of Szeged
  • Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)
  • Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio
  • Karolinska Institutet
  • AZ KLINA
  • AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV
  • University of Barcelona
  • IRCCS Fondazione Ca'Granda – Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Milano
  • Ankara University
  • University Hospital Hradec Králové
  • Ospedale Dimiccoli Barletta
  • Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine
  • University of Hamburg
  • COVID hospital "Batajnica"
  • Policlinico Borgo Roma
  • Brescia Civil Hospital

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened risks for individuals with hematological malignancies due to compromised immune systems, leading to more severe outcomes and increased mortality. While interventions like vaccines, targeted antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies have been effective for the general population, their benefits for these patients may not be as pronounced. Methods: The EPICOVIDEHA registry (National Clinical Trials Identifier, NCT04733729) gathers COVID-19 data from hematological malignancy patients since the pandemic's start worldwide. It spans various global locations, allowing comprehensive analysis over the first three years (2020–2022). Findings: The EPICOVIDEHA registry collected data from January 2020 to December 2022, involving 8767 COVID-19 cases in hematological malignancy patients from 152 centers across 41 countries, with 42% being female. Over this period, there was a significant reduction in critical infections and an overall decrease in mortality from 29% to 4%. However, hospitalization, particularly in the ICU, remained associated with higher mortality rates. Factors contributing to increased mortality included age, multiple comorbidities, active malignancy at COVID-19 onset, pulmonary symptoms, and hospitalization. On the positive side, vaccination with one to two doses or three or more doses, as well as encountering COVID-19 in 2022, were associated with improved survival. Interpretation: Patients with hematological malignancies still face elevated risks, despite reductions in critical infections and overall mortality rates over time. Hospitalization, especially in ICUs, remains a significant concern. The study underscores the importance of vaccination and the timing of COVID-19 exposure in 2022 for enhanced survival in this patient group. Ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to support this vulnerable population, emphasizing the critical role of timely diagnosis and prompt treatment in preventing severe COVID-19 cases. Funding: Not applicable.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number102553
JournalEClinicalMedicine
Volume71
Publication statusPublished - May 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • COVID-19, Haematological malignancy, ICU, Immunosuppression, Vaccination