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

Amal F Jamee 1, *, Wallaa I Alnahhal 2, Norhan A Abughali 2, Mohammed K Abed 2, Sabrin M Zourob 2, Heba S redwan 2 and Shuruk A Ghunaim 2

1 Palestinian Ministry of Heath; University of AL-Azhar; faculty of Medicine, Gaza, Palestine.
2 University of Palestine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gaza, Palestine.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 16(01), 133–140
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2022.16.1.1002
 
Publication history: 
Received on 30 August 2022; revised on 03 October 2022; accepted on 06 October 2022
 
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.
 
Keywords: 
COVID-19 Infection; Cancer; Gaza strip; Palestine
 
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