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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jul;149(7):2915-2928.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04191-y. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients with cancer on mortality, ICU admission and incidence: a systematic review with meta-analysis involving 709,908 participants and 31,732 cancer patients

Mehmet Emin Arayici  1 , Nazlican Kipcak  2 , Ufuktan Kayacik  3 , Cansu Kelbat  2 , Deniz Keskin  2 , Muhammed Emin Kilicarslan  2 , Ahmet Veli Kilinc  2 , Sumeyye Kirgoz  2 , Anil Kirilmaz  2 , Melih Alihan Kizilkaya  2 , Irem Gaye Kizmaz  2 , Enes Berkin Kocak  2 , Enver Kochan  2 , Begum Kocpinar  2 , Fatmanur Kordon  2 , Batuhan Kurt  2 , Hulya Ellidokuz  3   4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections in patients with cancer on mortality, ICU admission and incidence: a systematic review with meta-analysis involving 709,908 participants and 31,732 cancer patients

Mehmet Emin Arayici et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients constitute one of the highest-risk patient groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, it was aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine both the incidence and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) admission rates and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected cancer patients.

Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were closely followed during the design, analysis, and reporting of this systematic review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was performed for the published papers in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, medRxiv, Embase, and Web of Science (WoS) databases. SARS-CoV-2 infection pooled incidence in the cancer populations and the risk ratio (RR) of ICU admission rates/mortality in cancer and non-cancer groups, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated using the random-effects model.

Results: A total of 58 studies, involving 709,908 participants and 31,732 cancer patients, were included in this study. The incidence in cancer patients was calculated as 8% (95% CI: 8-9%). Analysis results showed that mortality and ICU admission rate was significantly higher in patients with cancer (RR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.94-2.62, P < 0.001; RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.28-1.64, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: As a result, cancer was an important comorbidity and risk factor for all SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. This infection could result in severe and even fatal events in cancer patients. Cancer is associated with a poor prognosis in the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer patients should be assessed more sensitively in the COVID-19 outbreak.

Keywords: Cancer; ICU admission; Mortality; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the study collection process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot illustrating the incidence of patients with cancer in all SARS-CoV-2 infected participants
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot illustrating the mortality of patients with cancer/non-cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot for region subgroup analysis of the cancer mortality of patients with cancer/non cancer in all SARS-CoV-2 infected participants
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Forest plot illustrating the ICU admission of patients with cancer/non-cancer in all SARS-CoV-2 infected participants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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