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Ong FRC, Yu HVT, Alcasabas APA, Cañeba JPD, Estanislao JI, Fajardo PD. Profile and Outcomes of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Philippine General Hospital. ACTA MEDICA PHILIPPINA 2024; 58:163-169. [PMID: 38882910 PMCID: PMC11168950 DOI: 10.47895/amp.v58i7.6865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus pandemic has affected millions worldwide. Better understanding of COVID-19 in pediatric hematology-oncology patients in a resource-limited setting is crucial to improve care as the pandemic ensues. Objectives This study describes the clinical profile and outcomes of pediatric hematology oncology patients with COVID-19 seen at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Methods A retrospective, descriptive review of pediatric hematology oncology patients with COVID-19 seen between March 2020 to March 2021 in PGH was done. Results Forty patients were identified. Seventeen percent had non-malignant hematologic conditions, 40% had leukemias, and 42.5% had solid tumors. Fever and cough were the most common manifestations. Seventy-six percent were on treatment, 9% were newly diagnosed, and 7% were in relapse or disease progression. Fifty-five percent had mild COVID-19; 5% and 2.5% had severe and critical COVID-19, respectively. Thirty-seven percent were asymptomatic. Cancer-related therapy was placed on hold for most patients. There were two mortalities, none was due to COVID-19. Conclusion Results suggest that patients with hematologic and oncologic conditions have a mild course, with majority showing recovery from COVID-19. Delays in cancer-related therapy however, may contribute to disease progression and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustine Richelle C Ong
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
| | - Hazel Valerie T Yu
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
| | - Ana Patricia A Alcasabas
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
| | - Joliza Patricia D Cañeba
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
| | - Jochrys I Estanislao
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
| | - Pamela D Fajardo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
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Gwanika Y, Rice HE, Metcalf M, Espinoza P, Kajoka HD, Rice HE, Staton C, Mmbaga BT, Majaliwa E, Smith ER, Cotache-Condor C. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in childhood and adolescent cancer care in northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:457. [PMID: 38609910 PMCID: PMC11010397 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has strained healthcare systems and presented unique challenges for children requiring cancer care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to cancer care for children and adolescents in Northern Tanzania. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics of 547 pediatric and adolescent cancer patients (ages 0-19 years old) between 2016 and 2022 using the population-based Kilimanjaro Cancer Registry (KCR). We categorized data into pre-COVID-19 (2016-2019) and COVID-19 (2020-2022) eras, and performed descriptive analyses of diagnostic, treatment, and demographic information. A secondary analysis was conducted on a subset of 167 patients with stage of diagnosis at presentation. RESULTS Overall admissions nearly doubled during the pandemic (n = 190 versus 357). The variety of diagnoses attended at KCMC increased during the pandemic, with only five groups of diseases reported in 2016 to twelve groups of diseases in 2021. Most patients were diagnosed at a late stage (stage III or IV) across eras, with the proportion of under-five years old patients increasing late-diagnoses from 29.4% (before the pandemic), 52.8% (during the pandemic), when compared to the overall cohort. Around 95% of children in this age category reported late-stage diagnosis during the pandemic. Six out of the twelve cancer site groups also reported an increase in late-stage diagnosis. During the pandemic, the proportion of children receiving surgery increased from 15.8 to 30.8% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Childhood and adolescent cancer care changed in Northern Tanzania during the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased late-stage diagnoses presentations among younger patients and the increased use of surgical therapies in the context of a growing practice. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric and adolescent cancer care can help us better adapt healthcare systems and interventions to the emerging needs of children and adolescents with cancer in the midst of a health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yotham Gwanika
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Services, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Hannah E Rice
- Duke Primary Care, Population Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Pamela Espinoza
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Happiness D Kajoka
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Services, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Henry E Rice
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Catherine Staton
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Blandina T Mmbaga
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Esther Majaliwa
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Services, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.
| | - Emily R Smith
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cesia Cotache-Condor
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Center for Global Surgery and Health Equity, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Jiang C, Yang Y, Yang W, Ma X, Chu P, Duan C, Wang X, Jian B, Zhao W, He S, Wang X, Zhang S, Zhao Q, Yang P, Huang C, Ma G, Su Y, Guo Y. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demographic and disease burden of pediatric malignant solid tumors in China: a single-center, cross-sectional study. Transl Pediatr 2024; 13:387-398. [PMID: 38590381 PMCID: PMC10998988 DOI: 10.21037/tp-23-480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background With the development of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), China implemented measures in an attempt to control the infection rate. We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional study to ascertain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the equitable availability of medical resources for children diagnosed with malignant solid tumors in China. Methods Data on the demographics, clinical characteristics, and medical expenses of 876 patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma (HB), Ewing sarcoma (ES), and central nervous system (CNS) tumors from 2019 to 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, were retrospectively collected from the National Center for Children's Health. The Pearson χ2 test and Mann-Whitney test were performed to analyze the differences among variables. Results Except for the regional origin of children with tumors during the epidemic, no significant differences were found in the demographic or clinical characteristics of patients at initial diagnosis. The number of patients from northern China and northeastern China who attended Beijing Children's Hospital (BCH) increased after the outbreak of COVID-19 (P=0.001). There was no significant alteration observed in the frequency of hospitalizations per individual per annum (P=0.641) or the mean expense incurred per individual per hospitalization (P=0.361). In addition, the medical insurance coverage rate of real-time settlement increased year by year. Conclusions After the COVID-19 outbreak, the origin of patients with solid tumor who visited BCH was concentrated in the northern region of China. COVID-19 had no impact on the other demographic factors, clinical characteristics, or economic burden of patients with pediatric malignant solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyi Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yeran Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Wenfa Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Chu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Duan
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Big Data Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Binglin Jian
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Sidou He
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xisi Wang
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Shihan Zhang
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Peiyi Yang
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Geng Ma
- Futang Research Center of Pediatric Development (FRCPD), Beijing, China
| | - Yan Su
- Medical Oncology Department, Pediatric Oncology Center, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, National Key Clinical Discipline of Pediatric Oncology, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yongli Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, MOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
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Duan C, Liu L, Wang T, Wang G, Jiang Z, Li H, Zhang G, Ye L, Li C, Cao Y. Evidence linking COVID-19 and the health/well-being of children and adolescents: an umbrella review. BMC Med 2024; 22:116. [PMID: 38481207 PMCID: PMC10938697 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiences during childhood and adolescence have enduring impacts on physical and mental well-being, overall quality of life, and socioeconomic status throughout one's lifetime. This underscores the importance of prioritizing the health of children and adolescents to establish an impactful healthcare system that benefits both individuals and society. It is crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers to examine the relationship between COVID-19 and the health of children and adolescents, as this understanding will guide the creation of interventions and policies for the long-term management of the virus. METHODS In this umbrella review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023401106), systematic reviews were identified from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; EMBASE (OvidSP); and MEDLINE (OvidSP) from December 2019 to February 2023. Pairwise and single-arm meta-analyses were extracted from the included systematic reviews. The methodological quality appraisal was completed using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Single-arm meta-analyses were re-presented under six domains associated with COVID-19 condition. Pairwise meta-analyses were classified into five domains according to the evidence classification criteria. Rosenberg's FSN was calculated for both binary and continuous measures. RESULTS We identified 1551 single-arm and 301 pairwise meta-analyses from 124 systematic reviews that met our predefined criteria for inclusion. The focus of the meta-analytical evidence was predominantly on the physical outcomes of COVID-19, encompassing both single-arm and pairwise study designs. However, the quality of evidence and methodological rigor were suboptimal. Based on the evidence gathered from single-arm meta-analyses, we constructed an illustrative representation of the disease severity, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological findings, treatments, and outcomes from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, we discovered 17 instances of strong or highly suggestive pairwise meta-analytical evidence concerning long-COVID, pediatric comorbidity, COVID-19 vaccines, mental health, and depression. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study advocate for the implementation of surveillance systems to track health consequences associated with COVID-19 and the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborative rehabilitation programs for affected younger populations. In future research endeavors, it is important to prioritize the investigation of non-physical outcomes to bridge the gap between research findings and clinical application in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchen Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guanru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhishen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Honglin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Evidence-Based Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yubin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Evidence-Based Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Duffy C, Graetz DE, Lopez AMZ, Carrillo AK, Job G, Chen Y, Devidas M, Leon SA, Bonzi SA, Flores PC, Torres LE, Broncano EH, Jaramillo SJ, Zelada MO, Novoa RR, Samudio A, Sánchez-Fernandez G, Villanueva E, Metzger ML, Friedrich P, Jeha S. Retrospective analysis of outcomes for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in South American centers. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1254233. [PMID: 38023200 PMCID: PMC10643117 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1254233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. While the survival rate for childhood ALL exceeds 90% in high-income countries, the estimated survival in low-and middle-income countries ranges from 22-79%, depending on the region and local resources. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed demographic, biological, and clinical parameters of children under 18 years of age with newly diagnosed ALL presenting between 2013-2017 across five pediatric centers in 4 countries in South America. Survival analyses were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Across the five centers, 752 patients were analyzed (Bolivia [N=9], Ecuador [N=221], Paraguay [N=197], Peru [N=325]) and 92.1% (n=690) patients were diagnosed with B-cell and 7.5% (n= 56) with T-cell ALL. The median age was 5.5 years old (IQR 7.29). At diagnosis, 47.8% of patients were categorized as standard and 51.9% as high risk per their institutional regimen. Advanced diagnostics availability varied between modalities. MRD was evaluated in 69.1% of patients; molecular testing was available for ETV6-RUNX, BCR-ABL1, TCF3-PBX1, and KMT2A-rearranged ALL in 75-81% of patients; however, karyotyping and evaluation for iAMP21 were only performed in 42-61% of patients. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement was evaluated at diagnosis in 57.3% (n=429) patients; of these, 93.7% (n=402) were CNS 1, 1.6% (n=7) were CNS 2, 0.7% (n=11) were CNS3, 1.9% (n=8) had cranial nerve palsy, and 2.1% (n=9) results unavailable. Chemotherapy delays >2 weeks were reported in 56.0% (n=421) patients during treatment. Delays were attributed to infection in 63.2% (n=265), drug-related toxicities in 47.3% (n=198), and resource constraints, including lack of bed availability in 23.2% (n=97) of patients. The 3-year Abandonment-sensitive EFS and OS were 61.0±1.9% and 67.2±1.8%, respectively. The 3-year EFS and OS were 71.0±1.8% and 79.6±1.7%, respectively. Discussion This work reveals opportunities to improve survival, including addressing severe infections, treatment interruptions, and modifications due to drug shortages. In 2018, healthcare professionals across South America established the Pediatric Oncology Latin America (POLA) group in collaboration with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. POLA collaborators developed an evidence-based, consensus-derived, adapted treatment guideline, informed by preliminary results of this evaluation, to serve as the new standard of care for pediatric ALL in participating institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Duffy
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Dylan E. Graetz
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Arturo M. Zapata Lopez
- Departamento de Oncología Pediátrica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Angela K. Carrillo
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Godwin Job
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Yichen Chen
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Meenakshi Devidas
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Sandra Alarcón Leon
- Departamento de Oncología Pediátrica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Sol Aponte Bonzi
- Departamento de Hemato Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Pedro Cardona Flores
- Hospital Santa Cruz Caja Petrolera Salud (CPS), Hemato-Oncología Pediátrica, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | | | - Eddy Hernández Broncano
- Departamento de Oncología Pediátrica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Soledad Jiménez Jaramillo
- La Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer (SOLCA) Núcleo de Loja, Oncohematóloga Pediatra, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Ma Ofelia Zelada
- Departamento de Hemato Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Romulo Reaño Novoa
- Departamento de Oncología Pediátrica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Lima, Peru
| | - Angelica Samudio
- Departamento de Hemato Oncología Pediátrica, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
| | | | - Erika Villanueva
- Hospital SOLCA Núcleo Quito, Hemato-Oncología Pediátrica, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Paola Friedrich
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Sima Jeha
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
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Alkharouby R, Aljehani N, Alsubaie N, Alqarni A, Hariri M, Elimam N, AlhajHussein B, AlAzmi AA. The Characteristics and Follow-Up of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Oncology Patients. Cureus 2023; 15:e46149. [PMID: 37900520 PMCID: PMC10613097 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Clinical data about the first and second most prominent waves of SARS-CoV-2 among pediatric cancer patients were inconsistent. This study aims to retrospectively report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric oncology patients. Methods This is an observational, retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care oncology center from March 2020 to May 2022. We reviewed the prevalence, severity of symptoms, and duration of positivity in relation to blood count laboratory data and mortality with a follow-up of 30 days post-infection for SARS-CoV-2. Results A total of 396 PCR tests were performed on 342 pediatric cancer patients. The overall rate of SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 43.1% (2.7% in the first wave and 95.4% in the second wave). Among 342 screened pediatric cancer patients, 72 patients had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positivity in 92 different episodes. Nearly 59% had a mild or moderate infection, with fever and cough as the predominant presentations. The mean duration of positivity was 18.4±7.76 days. Comparing the laboratory values before and after acquiring the COVID-19 infection, only monocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets were statistically significantly affected, with P-values of 0.002, 0.03, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively. More than 18% of patients had grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count=0.39±0.35) before COVID-19 infection and remained neutropenic throughout the disease, regardless of symptom severity. The mean recovery time was 13.67±8 days, which resulted in a delay in cancer treatment delivery of up to four weeks in 42.2% of patients. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that pediatric cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection have a mild to moderate course of COVID-19 disease, with the majority being symptomatic, yet a great portion of our study population experienced treatment interruptions reaching up to four weeks caused by COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghad Alkharouby
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Noura Aljehani
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Nasser Alsubaie
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Anas Alqarni
- College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Bisha, SAU
| | | | - Naglla Elimam
- Department of Pediatric Oncology Hematology, Princess Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Baraa AlhajHussein
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Aeshah A AlAzmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care Services, Princess Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, SAU
- Department of Pediatric Oncology Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Princess Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, SAU
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU
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Culbert AA, Ren BO, Maheshwer B, Curtis A, Ajayakumar J, Gilmore A, Hardesty C, Mistovich RJ, Son-Hing J, Liu RW, Glotzbecker MP. Disparities in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Pre-vaccine and Post-Vaccine Availability. J Pediatr Orthop 2023; 43:529-535. [PMID: 37442779 PMCID: PMC10627400 DOI: 10.1097/bpo.0000000000002469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in medical care, resulting in an estimated 40% of US adults avoiding care. However, the return to baseline health care utilization following COVID-19 restrictions within the pediatric orthopedic population remains unexplored. We sought to analyze the visit volume and demographics of pediatric orthopedic patients at 3 timepoints: prepandemic (2019), pandemic (2020), and pandemic post-vaccine availability (2021), to determine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on our single-center, multisite institution. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of 6318 patients seeking treatment at our institution from May through August in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Patient age, sex, address, encounter date, and ICD-10 codes were obtained. Diagnoses were classified into fractures and dislocations, non-fracture-related trauma, sports, elective, and other categories. Geospatial analysis comparing incidence and geospatial distribution of diagnoses across the time periods was performed and compared with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) social vulnerability index (SVI). RESULTS The total number of pediatric orthopedic visits decreased by 22.2% during the pandemic ( P <0.001) and remained 11.6% lower post-vaccine availability compared with prepandemic numbers ( P <0.001). There was no significant difference in age ( P =0.097) or sex ( P =0.248) of the patients across all 3 timepoints; however, patients seen during the pandemic were more often White race (67.7% vs. 59.3%, P <0.001). Post-vaccine availability, trauma visits increased by 18.2% ( P <0.001) and total fractures remained 13.4% lower than prepandemic volume ( P <0.001). Sports volume decreased during the pandemic but returned to prepandemic volume in the post-vaccine availability period ( P =0.298). Elective visits did not recover to prepandemic volume and remained 13.0% lower compared with baseline ( P <0.001). Geospatial analysis of patient distribution illustrated neighborhood trends in access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic, with fewer patients from high SVI and low socioeconomic status neighborhoods seeking fracture care during the pandemic than prepandemic. Post-vaccine availability, fracture population distribution resembled prepandemic levels, suggesting a return to baseline health care utilization. CONCLUSION Pediatric orthopedic surgery visit volume broadly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not return to prepandemic levels. All categories increased in the post-vaccine availability time point except elective visits. Geospatial analysis revealed that neighborhoods with a high social vulnerability index (SVI) were associated with decreased fracture visits during the pandemic, whereas low SVI neighborhoods did not experience as much of a decline. Future research is needed to study these neighborhood trends and more completely characterize factors preventing equitable access to care in the pediatric orthopedic population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Retrospective Study, Level III.
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Affiliation(s)
- August A. Culbert
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Bryan O. Ren
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bhargavi Maheshwer
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Andrew Curtis
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
| | | | - Allison Gilmore
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Christina Hardesty
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - R. Justin Mistovich
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jochen Son-Hing
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Raymond W. Liu
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
| | - Michael P. Glotzbecker
- Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland, OH
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Latella A, Gómez S, Palladino M, Navia M, Mangano A, Borgnia D, Rino P, González C, Felice MS, Rose A, Alderete D, Staciuk R, Roizen M, Fraquelli L. COVID-19 in Pediatric Cancer Patients and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Argentina. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023; 45:e671-e677. [PMID: 37314943 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in cancer pediatric patients was initially uncertain. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcome of cancer patients and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients from 0 to 19 years with detectable SARS-CoV-2 from April 23, 2020, to April 30, 2022, treated in a tertiary-level hospital in Argentina. A total of 348 cases were registered in 339 patients. The median age was 89.5 (3 to 224) months. The sex was predominantly male: 193 (55.5%). The most common malignant disease was leukemia (42.8%). One hundred four cases (29.9%) had comorbidities. Of the 346 cases with an available blood count, 17.6% had a lymphocyte count <300/mm 3 . Fever was the most common symptom. In most cases (93.1%) presented asymptomatic or mild disease. Twenty-one cases (6%) presented severe or critical status. Eleven of 24 admissions to the intensive care unit were due to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Eight patients (2.3%) died. Two deaths were attributable to SARS-CoV-2 (0.6%). Being older, having fever, lymphopenia at diagnosis, and having received hematopoietic stem cell transplant were associated with a more severe disease. Around 90% of the children continued their cancer treatment without any change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Mangano
- Virology and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pediatría JP Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Borgnia
- Virology and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Pediatría JP Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Raquel Staciuk
- Stem Cell Transplantation, Hospital de Pediatría JP Garrahan
| | - Mariana Roizen
- Stem Cell Transplantation, Hospital de Pediatría JP Garrahan
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Roy P, van Peer SE, Dandis R, Duncan C, de Aguirre‐Neto JC, Verschuur A, de Camargo B, Karim‐Kos HE, Boschetti L, Spreafico F, Ramirez‐Villar GL, Graf N, van Tinteren H, Pritchard‐Jones K, van den Heuvel‐Eibrink MM. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric renal tumour presentation and management, a SIOP renal tumour study group study. Cancer Med 2023; 12:17098-17111. [PMID: 37496317 PMCID: PMC10501283 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic had global catastrophic effects on the management of non-communicable diseases including paediatric cancers. Restrictions during the start of 2020 complicated timely referrals of patients to specialized centres. We aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on the number of new diagnoses, disease characteristics and management delay for paediatric renal tumour patients included in the SIOP-RTSG-UMBRELLA study, as compared with data from a historical SIOP-RTSG trial (2005-2009). METHODS The number of intensive care admissions, population mobility rates and national lockdown periods/restrictions were used as proxies of the pandemic's severity and impact on societies. Clinical and tumour data were extracted from the SIOP-RTSG-UMBRELLA study and from historical SIOP-RTSG trials. RESULTS During the first lockdown in Europe, the number of newly diagnosed patients decreased following restrictions and population immobilisation. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of advanced disease (37% vs. 17% before and after COVID-9, p < 0.001) and larger median tumour volume (559 cm3 vs. 328 and 434 cm3 before and after, p < 0.0001). Also in Brazil, the proportion of advanced disease was higher during the national decrease in mobilisation and start of restrictions (50% and 24% vs. 11% and 18% before and after, p < 0.01). Tumour volume in Brazil was also higher during the first months of COVID-19 (599 cm3 vs. 459 and 514 cm3 ), although not significant (p = 0.17). We did not observe any delays in referral time nor in time to start treatment, even though COVID-19 restrictions may have caused children to reach care later. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic briefly changed the tumour characteristics of children presenting with renal tumours. The longer-term impact on clinical outcomes will be kept under review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakriti Roy
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Rana Dandis
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Arnauld Verschuur
- Department of Paediatric Oncology & HaematologyLa Timone Children's HospitalMarseilleFrance
| | - Beatriz de Camargo
- Grupo Brasileiro de Tumores Renais (Brazilian Renal Tumor Group)São PauloBrazil
| | - Henrike E. Karim‐Kos
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Department of ResearchNetherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL)UtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Luna Boschetti
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Pediatric Oncology UnitFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanMilanItaly
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Pediatric Oncology UnitFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di MilanMilanItaly
| | | | - Norbert Graf
- Department of Paediatric Oncology & HaematologySaarland UniversityHomburgGermany
| | | | - Kathy Pritchard‐Jones
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Marry M. van den Heuvel‐Eibrink
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric OncologyUtrechtThe Netherlands
- Division of Child Health, Wilhelmina Children's HospitalUniversity Medical Center UtrechtThe Netherlands
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10
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Ilic I, Ilic M. International patterns and trends in the brain cancer incidence and mortality: An observational study based on the global burden of disease. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18222. [PMID: 37519769 PMCID: PMC10372320 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Brain cancer is a serious issue in the global burden of diseases. This observational research aimed to assess trends of the brain cancer incidence and mortality in the world in the period 1990-2019. Methods Brain cancer incidence and mortality data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study database. The joinpoint regression analysis was done to assess the brain cancer indicence and mortality trends: the average annual percent change (AAPC) along with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. Results In both sexes, the highest age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality were found in high-income regions (Europe and America), while the lowest were observed in the African Region. A significant rise in brain cancer incidence rates both in males and females was observed in all regions, with one exception of a significantly decreased trend only among males in the South-East Asia Region. Among countries with increased trends in incidence and mortality from brain cancer, Cuba experienced the most marked increase in both incidence (AAPC = +5.7% in males and AAPC = +5.4% in females) and mortality rates (AAPC = +5.5% in males and AAPC = +5.1% in females). Among countries that experienced a decline in brain cancer incidence and mortality, Hungary and Greenland showed the most marked decline in both sexes (equally by -1.0%). Conclusion Brain cancer shows increasing global incidence rates in both sexes and represents a priority for prevention and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Ilic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
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11
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Ali N, Ghalibafian M, Sykes-Martin K, Parkes J, Qureshi B, Esiashvili N. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of pediatric radiotherapy: A critical review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023:e30446. [PMID: 37243393 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the timely diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including pediatric cancer. Its impact on pediatric oncologic treatments warrants investigation. As radiotherapy is an integral component of cancer care, we reviewed the published data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of pediatric radiotherapy to inform actions for future global events. We found that disruptions in radiotherapy were reported amongst interruptions in other therapies. Disruptions were more common in low-income countries (78%) and low middle-income countries (68%) compared with upper middle-income countries (46%) and high-income countries (10%). Several papers included recommendations for mitigation strategies. Altered treatment regimens were common, including increasing the use of active surveillance and systemic therapy to delay local therapies, and accelerated/hypofractionated dose delivery. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 has impacted radiotherapy delivery in the pediatric population globally. Countries with limited resources may be more affected. Various mitigation strategies have been developed. The efficacy of mitigation measures warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naba Ali
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mithra Ghalibafian
- Mahak Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Radiation Oncology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Jeannette Parkes
- Radiation Oncology, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bilal Qureshi
- Radiation Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Natia Esiashvili
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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12
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Ferrara G, Aguina M, Mirochnick E, Wiphatphumiprates P, Moreira DC, Sniderman E, Villegas CA, Kaye EC, Ragab I, Maliti B, Naidu G, Gassant PY, Arce D, Arora RS, Alcasabas AP, Raza MR, Velasco P, Kambugu J, Vinitsky A, Rodriguez Galindo C, Agulnik A, Graetz DE. Communication transforms the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families. Cancer Med 2023. [PMID: 37081718 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic altered healthcare systems globally, causing delays in care delivery and increased anxiety among patients and families. This study examined how hospital stakeholders and clinicians perceived the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families. METHODS This secondary analysis examined data from a qualitative study consisting of 19 focus groups conducted in 8 languages throughout 16 countries. A codebook was developed with novel codes derived inductively from transcript review. In-depth analysis focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families. RESULTS Eight themes describing the impact of the pandemic on patients and their families were identified and classified into three domains: contributing factors (COVID-19 Policies, Cancer Treatment Modifications, COVID-19 Symptoms, Beliefs), patient-related impacts (Quality of Care, Psychosocial impacts, Treatment Reluctance), and the central transformer (Communication). Participants described the ability of communication to transform the effect of contributing factors on patient-related impacts. The valence of impacts depended on the quality and quantity of communication among clinicians and between clinicians and patients and families. CONCLUSIONS Communication served as the central factor impacting whether the COVID-19 pandemic positively or negatively affected children with cancer and families. These findings emphasize the key role communication plays in delivering patient-centered care and can guide future development of communication-centered interventions globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gia Ferrara
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Molly Aguina
- Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily Mirochnick
- The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth Sniderman
- Northern Alberta Children's Cancer Program, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Erica C Kaye
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Iman Ragab
- Ain Shams University, Children's Hospital, Hematology-Oncology Unit, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Gita Naidu
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Daniela Arce
- Hospital Pediátrico de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Velasco
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anna Vinitsky
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Asya Agulnik
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Dylan E Graetz
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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13
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Global Health System Resilience during Encounters with Stressors - Lessons Learnt from Cancer Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:e289-e300. [PMID: 36764875 PMCID: PMC9842532 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The protracted COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems globally, including many aspects of cancer control. This has underscored the multidimensional nature of cancer control, which requires a more comprehensive approach involving taking a wider perspective of health systems. Here, we investigated aspects of health system resilience in maintaining cancer services globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow for health systems to be resilient to different types of system stressors/shocks in the future, to allow cancer care to be maintained optimally. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the World Health Organization health system framework (capturing aspects of service delivery, health workforce, information, medical products, vaccines and technologies, financing and governance and leadership), we carried out a comparative analysis of the impact of COVID-19 and the synthesis of the findings in responses in cancer care in 10 countries/jurisdictions across four continents comprising a wide diversity of health systems, geographical regions and socioeconomic status (China, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UK and Zambia). A combination of literature and document reviews and interviews with experts was used. RESULTS Our study revealed that: (i) underlying weaknesses of health systems before the pandemic were exacerbated by the pandemic (e.g. economic issues in low- and middle-income countries led to greater shortage of medication and resource constraints compounded by inadequacies of public financing and issues of engagement with stakeholders and leadership/governance); (ii) no universal adaptive strategies were applicable to all the systems, highlighting the need for health systems to design emergency plans based on local context; (iii) despite the many differences between health systems, common issues were identified, such as the lack of contingency plan for pandemics, inadequate financial policies for cancer patients and lack of evidence-based approaches for competing priorities of cancer care/pandemic control. CONCLUSION We identified four key points/recommendations to enhance the resilient capacity of cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and other system stressors: (i) effective pandemic control approaches in general are essential to maintain the continuity of cancer care during the emergency health crises; (ii) strong health systems (with sufficient cancer care resources, e.g. health workforce, and universal health coverage) are fundamental to maintain quality care; (iii) the ability to develop response strategies and adapt to evolving evidence/circumstances is critical for health system resilience (including introducing systematic, consistent and evidence-based changes, national support and guidance in policy development and implementation); (iv) preparedness and contingency plans for future public health emergencies, engaging the whole of society, to achieve health system resilience for future crises and to transform healthcare delivery beyond the pandemic.
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14
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Yan A, Howden K, Mahar AL, Scott I, Glidden C, Deleemans J, Chalifour K, Eaton G, Gupta A, Bolton JM, Garland SN, Oberoi S. Experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Cancer Surviv 2023; 17:370-383. [PMID: 35098486 PMCID: PMC8801282 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-021-01158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of AYAs aged 18-49 with cancer in Canada between January and February 2021. Data from survivors, defined as AYAs more than one year off cancer treatment, were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with psychological distress, loneliness and insomnia. RESULTS The analysis included 384 survivors. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress was reported by 257 (68.9%) survivors and was associated with an income ≥ $60,000 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.11-4.17) and the presence of a pre-existing chronic physical health condition (AOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.18-3.56). Loneliness was reported by 204 (54.0%) survivors and was associated with being unemployed (AOR 2.26 95%CI 1.18-4.31), pandemic causing finances to be worse (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.08-3.06) and the presence of a pre-pandemic mental health condition (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.03-3.42). Clinical insomnia was reported by 74 (19.5%) survivors and was associated with employment status as a student (AOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.08-8.29) or unemployed (AOR 3.97, 95% CI 1.46-10.83), earning $60,000 or more in the year 2020 (AOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.43-13.32), having haematologic cancer (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05-4.70) and being single (AOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.08-5.91). Pandemic negatively affected employment, finances, physical activity, cancer care and substance use for 73.9%, 66.5%, 32.5%, 21.8% and 19.2% of survivors, respectively. Worries about finances, contracting COVID-19, cancer treatment increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection, and having poor health outcomes from contracting COVID-19 were reported by 46.0%, 45.6%, 55.0% and 47.3% of survivors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on AYA cancer survivors, and these individuals report high levels of psychological distress, insomnia and loneliness. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Cancer survivors are at risk for worsening mental and physical health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted interventions and support programs are urgently needed to support the mental health of AYA cancer survivors and optimize their health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Yan
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Blood and Cancer Disorder Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Howden
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, 75 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB, ON-2015R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Alyson L Mahar
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Ian Scott
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Camille Glidden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Julie Deleemans
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Karine Chalifour
- Young Adult Cancer Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Geoff Eaton
- Young Adult Cancer Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Abha Gupta
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Care Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James M Bolton
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sheila N Garland
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Sapna Oberoi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, 75 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB, ON-2015R3E 0V9, Canada.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E0V9, Canada.
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15
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Tran A, Hou SHJ, Forbes C, Cho S, Forster VJ, Stokoe M, Wakefield CE, Wiener L, Heathcote LC, Michel G, Patterson P, Reynolds K, Schulte FSM. The Impact of the Early COVID-19 Global Pandemic on Children Undergoing Active Cancer Treatment and Their Parents. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:2441-2456. [PMID: 36826147 PMCID: PMC9954946 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted people worldwide with unique implications for vulnerable groups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the impact of the early pandemic on children undergoing active cancer treatment and their parents. (2) Methods: In May 2020, 30 parents of children undergoing active cancer treatment completed an online survey regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their child's cancer care, perceived utility of telemedicine, and child and parent mental health status. (3) Results: Most participants (87%) reported that they did not experience any changes to major cancer treatments. Among those who reported using telemedicine, 78% reported this to be beneficial. Over half of the participants reported that their child's mental health status was worse now than prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Parent-reported child anxiety scores were significantly higher for those who reported changes to mental health care for their child compared to those who did not report the same, t(25.99) = -3.04, p = 0.005. (4) Conclusion: Child and parent mental health status were affected when compared to pre-pandemic. Telemedicine appears to be a promising complement to face-to-face meetings for some families and warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tran
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sharon H. J. Hou
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Department of Psychology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Caitlin Forbes
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sara Cho
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Victoria J. Forster
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Mehak Stokoe
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Claire E. Wakefield
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Lori Wiener
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Lauren C. Heathcote
- Health Psychology Section, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Gisela Michel
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Pandora Patterson
- Research, Evaluation and Policy Unit, Canteen Australia, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Kathleen Reynolds
- Long Term Survivor’s Clinic, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Fiona S. M. Schulte
- Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Long Term Survivor’s Clinic, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
- Correspondence:
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No Child Should Be Left Behind by COVID-19: A Report about the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in Children and Adolescents with Acute or Chronic Disease Treated at a Pediatric Referral Hospital in Italy. Pediatr Rep 2023; 15:58-68. [PMID: 36810338 PMCID: PMC9944085 DOI: 10.3390/pediatric15010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was undoubtedly a stressful experience for everyone. General opinion believed that children with acute or chronic illness could experience additional burden, but this is not confirmed. The aim of this study is to understand how children and adolescents already suffering from acute or chronic illness (e.g., cancer, cystic fibrosis, neuropsychiatric disorders) feel about the COVID-19 pandemic, and if the experience is significantly different between these children and children without illness. METHODS Children and adolescents affected by acute or chronic illness (named the "fragile group") treated at the Regina Margherita Children Hospital in Italy, were enrolled in the study by filling a questionnaire about their pandemic experiences. Also, a group of children and adolescents without acute or chronic illness (named the "low-risk group") recruited in the emergency department of the hospital, participated in the study in order to compare experiences. RESULTS The study group was composed of 166 children and adolescents (Median age = 12 yrs; 78% fragile group, 22% low-risk group). Participants experienced a general state of fear of the virus and of a potential infection for both themselves and their families, while feelings and thoughts that interfere with daily functioning were less frequent. The fragile group seems to be more resilient towards the pandemic situation than low-risk group and some differences on the basis of the type of illness were found in the fragile group. CONCLUSIONS Dedicated psychosocial intervention must be proposed in order to support fragile children and adolescents' well-being during the pandemic, also on the basis of their clinical and mental history.
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17
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Linjawi M, Shakoor H, Hilary S, Ali HI, Al-Dhaheri AS, Ismail LC, Apostolopoulos V, Stojanovska L. Cancer Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mini-Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11020248. [PMID: 36673615 PMCID: PMC9859465 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its emergence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the entire world and all commerce and industries, including healthcare systems. COVID-19 adversely affects cancer patients because they are immunocompromised. Increased COVID-19 infection and shortage of medical supplies, beds and healthcare workers in hospitals affect cancer care. This paper includes a description of the existing research that shows the impact of COVID-19 on the management of cancer patients. Aged people with various chronic conditions such as cancer and comorbidities face more challenges as they have a greater risk of disease severity. COVID-19 has affected care delivery, including patient management, and has been responsible for increased mortality among cancer patients. Cancer patients with severe symptoms require regular therapies and treatment; therefore, they have a higher risk of exposure. Due to the risk of transmission, various steps were taken to combat this disease; however, they have affected the existing operational efficiency. Herein, we present the changing priorities during COVID-19, which also affected cancer care, including delayed diagnosis, treatment, and surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Linjawi
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hira Shakoor
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Serene Hilary
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha S. Al-Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Lily Stojanovska
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (L.S.)
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18
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Koç BŞ, Tekkeşin F, Haccaloğlu EE, Beyter B, Aydoğdu S, Çakı Kılıç S, Caki Kilic S. Any Concern About Delays in the Diagnosis of Childhood Cancers During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Turk Arch Pediatr 2023; 58:75-79. [PMID: 36598215 PMCID: PMC9885817 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2022.22224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lockdown precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic led to concerns about the delayed diagnosis of malignancies. This study aimed to compare the duration of complaints at home and the presence of metastasis at diagnosis during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period in children with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS All children diagnosed with cancer and followed up in our clinic between 2017 and 2022 were included. Patients with a diagnosis of acute/chronic leukemia were excluded. Age, gender, cancer type, duration of complaints, and presence of metastasis at diagnosis of the children were recorded. The duration of complaints and presence of metastasis at diagnosis were compared statistically before and after March 11, 2020, the start point of the COVID-19 pandemic in our country. RESULTS A total of 161 patients diagnosed with cancer were analyzed retrospectively; 61% of patients were males and 39% were females. These patients were diagnosed with brain tumors (23.6%), lymphomas (23%), neuroblastoma (13.7%), rhabdomyosarcomas (10.6%), Ewing's sarcoma (4.3%), osteosarcoma (3.7%), Wilm's tumor (3.7%), and germ cell tumors (3.1%). The duration of complaint was longer during the pandemic than before the pandemic (median: 45 days vs. 30 days) (P < .05). The presence of metastases at diagnosis was 45.3% in the prepandemic period, while it was 40% during the pandemic with no statistical difference (P > .5). CONCLUSION We concluded that the duration of complaint before diagnosis was longer during the pandemic, while this delay did not affect the metastasis rate at diagnosis in children with cancer. The high rates of distant metastases in newly diagnosed patients both before and during the pandemic suggest that more studies are needed to diagnose these patients earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begüm Şirin Koç
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey,Corresponding author:Begüm Şirin Koç ✉
| | - Funda Tekkeşin
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Ezgi Haccaloğlu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Büşra Beyter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Selime Aydoğdu
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Suar Çakı Kılıç
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ümraniye Research and Training Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
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19
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Effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on emergency transport of children by an emergency medical service system: a population-based, ORION registry study. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:206. [PMID: 36539698 PMCID: PMC9767795 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00765-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, has spread rapidly around the world. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emergency medical service (EMS) and hospital admission course for children transported by ambulance. METHODS This study was a retrospective, descriptive study with a study period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 using the Osaka Emergency Information Research Intelligent Operation Network (ORION) system. All children who were transported by ambulance in Osaka Prefecture were included. The main outcome of this study was the rate of difficult-to-transfer cases, which was calculated by univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS Over the 3 years between January 1, 2018 and December 31 2020, 1,436,212 patients were transported to hospitals by ambulances in Osaka Prefecture, with children accounting for 102,473 (37,064, 39,590, and 25,819, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively). Poisson regression analysis showed that children were negatively associated with difficult-to-transfer cases (risk ratio (RR) 0.35, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.37). With reference to 2018, 2020 was not significantly associated with difficult-to-transfer cases in children (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.32, P = 0.075), but was significantly related (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.27, P < 0.001) to difficult-to-transfer cases in the general population. CONCLUSION Children were consistently associated with a reduced RR for difficult-to-transfer cases, even in the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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20
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Agulnik A, Gonzalez Ruiz A, Muniz‐Talavera H, Carrillo AK, Cárdenas A, Puerto‐Torres MF, Garza M, Conde T, Soberanis Vasquez DJ, Méndez Aceituno A, Acuña Aguirre C, Alfonso Y, Álvarez Arellano SY, Argüello Vargas D, Batista R, Blasco Arriaga EE, Chávez Rios M, Cuencio Rodríguez ME, Fing Soto EA, Gómez‐García W, Guillén Villatoro RH, Gutiérrez Rivera MDL, Herrera Almanza M, Jimenez Antolinez YV, Juárez Tobias MS, López Facundo NA, Martínez Soria RA, Miller K, Miralda S, Morales R, Negroe Ocampo N, Osuna A, Pascual Morales C, Pérez Fermin CK, Pérez Alvarado CM, Pineda E, Andrés Portilla C, Rios López LE, Rivera J, Sagaón Olivares AS, Saguay Tacuri MC, Salas Mendoza BT, Solano Picado I, Soto Chávez V, Tejocote Romero I, Tatay D, Teixeira Costa J, Villanueva E, Villegas Pacheco M, McKay VR, Metzger ML, Friedrich P, Rodriguez‐Galindo C. Model for regional collaboration: Successful strategy to implement a pediatric early warning system in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. Cancer 2022; 128:4004-4016. [PMID: 36161436 PMCID: PMC9828186 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, they are under-used in resource-limited settings. The authors use the knowledge-to-action framework to describe the implementation strategy for Proyecto Escala de Valoracion de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative, to scale-up PEWS in pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. METHODS Proyecto EVAT mentored participating centers through an adaptable implementation strategy to: (1) monitor clinical deterioration in children with cancer, (2) contextually adapt PEWS, (3) assess barriers to using PEWS, (4) pilot and implement PEWS, (5) monitor the use of PEWS, (6) evaluate outcomes, and (7) sustain PEWS. The implementation outcomes assessed included the quality of PEWS use, the time required for implementation, and global program impact. RESULTS From April 2017 to October 2021, 36 diverse Proyecto EVAT hospitals from 13 countries in Latin America collectively managing more than 4100 annual new pediatric cancer diagnoses successfully implemented PEWS. The time to complete all program phases varied among centers, averaging 7 months (range, 3-13 months) from PEWS pilot to implementation completion. All centers ultimately implemented PEWS and maintained high-quality PEWS use for up to 18 months after implementation. Across the 36 centers, more than 11,100 clinicians were trained in PEWS, and more than 41,000 pediatric hospital admissions had PEWS used in their care. CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based interventions like PEWS can be successfully scaled-up regionally basis using a systematic approach that includes a collaborative network, an adaptable implementation strategy, and regional mentorship. Lessons learned can guide future programs to promote the widespread adoption of effective interventions and reduce global disparities in childhood cancer outcomes. LAY SUMMARY Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) are clinical tools used to identify deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, implementation challenges limit their use in resource-limited settings. Proyecto EVAT is a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative to implement PEWS in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. This is the first multicenter, multinational study reporting a successful implementation strategy (Proyecto EVAT) to regionally scale-up PEWS. The lessons learned from Proyecto EVAT can inform future programs to promote the adoption of clinical interventions to globally improve childhood cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asya Agulnik
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Alejandra Gonzalez Ruiz
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Hilmarie Muniz‐Talavera
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Angela K. Carrillo
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Adolfo Cárdenas
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Maria F. Puerto‐Torres
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Marcela Garza
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Yvania Alfonso
- Pediatric Hemato‐oncologyHospital St DamienPort‐Au‐PrinceHaiti
| | | | | | - Rosario Batista
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Jose Domingo De ObaldíaChiriquiPanama
| | | | | | | | | | - Wendy Gómez‐García
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Infantil Dr Robert Reid CabralSanto DomingoDominican Republic
| | | | | | - Martha Herrera Almanza
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Infantil de Especialidades de ChihuahuaChihuahuaMexico
| | - Yajaira V. Jimenez Antolinez
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Universitario Dr José Eleuterio González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo LeónMonterreyMexico
| | | | - Norma Araceli López Facundo
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyInstituto de Seguridad Social del Estado de México y Municipos Hospital Materno InfantilTolucaMexico
| | | | - Kenia Miller
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital del Niño “Jose Renan Esquivel”PanamaPanama
| | | | - Roxana Morales
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyInstituto Nacional de Enfermedades NeoplásicasLimaPeru
| | | | - Alejandra Osuna
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Pediátrico de SinaloaCuliacanMexico
| | | | - Clara Krystal Pérez Fermin
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital Infantil Regional Universitario Dr Arturo GrullónSantiagoDominican Republic
| | | | - Estuardo Pineda
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital de Niños Benjamín BloomSan SalvadorEl Salvador
| | | | | | - Jocelyn Rivera
- Department of PediatricsHospital Infantil Teletón de Oncología (HITO)QueretaroMexico
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Tatay
- Pediatric Hemato‐OncologyHospital del Niños de la Santísima Trinidad de CórdobaCordobaArgentina
| | | | | | | | | | - Monika L. Metzger
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Paola Friedrich
- Department of Global Pediatric MedicineSt Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
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21
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Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-008797. [PMID: 36261229 PMCID: PMC9581782 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3–11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer.
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22
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Falkenstein L, Eckel N, Kadel SB, Koenig J, Litaker D, Eichinger M. Service provision and utilisation in German paediatric primary care practices during public health crises: Protocol of the mixed-methods COVID-19 PedCare Study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054054. [PMID: 36220317 PMCID: PMC9556743 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Public health crises such as pandemics can cause serious disruptions to the utilisation and provision of healthcare services with negative effects on morbidity and mortality. Despite the important role of paediatric primary care in maintaining high-quality healthcare services during crises, evidence about service utilisation and provision remains limited especially in Germany. This study, therefore, explores the utilisation and provision of paediatric primary care services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and their barriers and facilitators. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study uses a convergent mixed-methods design and comprises online surveys to parents, adolescents and primary care paediatricians (PCPs) and semistructured interviews with parents and PCPs. We recruit parents and adolescents from paediatric primary care practices and PCPs via email using mailing lists of the German Professional Association of Paediatricians and the German Society of Ambulatory Primary Care Paediatrics. The parent and adolescent surveys assess, inter alia, the utilisation of paediatric primary care services and its correlates, aspects of parental and child health as well as socioeconomic characteristics. The PCP survey investigates the provision of paediatric primary care services and its correlates, aspects of PCP health as well as sociodemographic and practice characteristics. The semistructured interviews with parents and PCPs explore several aspects of the online surveys in more detail. We use descriptive statistics and generalised linear mixed models to assess service utilisation and provision and specific correlates covered in the online surveys and apply qualitative content analysis to explore barriers and facilitators of service utilisation and provision more broadly in the semistructured interviews. We will integrate findings from the quantitative and qualitative analyses at the interpretation stage. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Review Board of the Medical Faculty Mannheim at Heidelberg University (2020-650N). Study results will be published in journals with external peer-review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Falkenstein
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nathalie Eckel
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simone B Kadel
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochem Koenig
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - David Litaker
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Eichinger
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health Baden-Wuerttemberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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23
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Villanueva G, Sampor C, Palma J, Villarroel M, Valencia D, Lombardi MG, Garcia WG, Caceres EL, Sobrero V, Garcia L, Cabrera V, Maza I, Velasquez T, Ugaz C, Vasquez JM, Coronado RD, Gonzalez N, Aguiar S, Dabezies A, Moreno F, Sardinas S, Gamboa Y, Maradiegue E, Fu L, Gassant P, Moreno K, Gonzales O, Schelotto M, Luna‐Fineman S, Antoneli CG, Fuentes‐Alabi S, Luciani S, Cappellano A, Chantada G, Vasquez L. Impact of COVID-19 in pediatric oncology care in Latin America during the first year of the pandemic. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29748. [PMID: 35593012 PMCID: PMC9347956 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic strained medical systems worldwide. We report on the impact on pediatric oncology care in Latin American (LATAM) during its first year. METHOD Four cross-sectional surveys were electronically distributed among pediatric onco-hematologists in April/June/October 2020, and April/2021 through the Latin American Society of Pediatric Oncology (SLAOP) email list and St Jude Global regional partners. RESULTS Four hundred fifty-three pediatric onco-hematologists from 20 countries responded to the first survey, with subsequent surveys response rates above 85%. More than 95% of participants reported that treatment continued without interruption for new and active ongoing patients, though with disruptions in treatment availability. During the first three surveys, respondents reported suspensions of outpatient procedures (54.2%), a decrease in oncologic surgeries (43.6%), radiotherapy (28.4%), stem cell transplants (SCT) (69.3%), and surveillance consultations (81.2%). Logistic regression analysis showed that at the beginning of the first wave, participants from countries with healthcare expenditure below 7% were more likely to report a decrease in outpatient procedures (odds ratio [OR]: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.19-2.8), surgeries (OR: 3, 95% CI: 1.9-4.6) and radiotherapy (OR: 6, 95% CI: 3.5-10.4). Suspension of surveillance consultations was higher in countries with COVID-19 case fatality rates above 2% (OR: 3, 95% CI: 1.4-6.2) and SCT suspensions in countries with COVID-19 incidence rate above 100 cases per 100,000 (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.6-7.45). Paradoxically, at the beginning of the second wave with COVID-19 cases rising exponentially, most participants reported improvements in cancer services availability. CONCLUSION Our data show the medium-term collateral effects of the pandemic on pediatric oncology care in LATAM, which might help delineate oncology care delivery amid current and future challenges posed by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Sampor
- Service of Hematology/OncologyHospital J.P GarrahanBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Julia Palma
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Luis Calvo MackennaSantiagoChile
| | | | - Diana Valencia
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Universitario de Santander IMAT OncomedicaMonteriaColombia,Pediatric OncologyIMAT OncomédicaColombia
| | | | - Wendy Gomez Garcia
- Hematology‐OncologyDr. Robert Reid Cabral Children's HospitalSanto DomingoDominican Republic
| | - Eva Lezcano Caceres
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Central Instituto de Prevision SocialAsunciónParaguay
| | - Victoria Sobrero
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Ramon CarrilloSan Carlos de BarilocheArgentina
| | - Lilia Garcia
- Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer UANLMonterreyMexico
| | - Victor Cabrera
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Regional Río BlancoOrizabaMexico
| | - Ivan Maza
- Pediatric OncologyHospital RebagliatiLimaPeru
| | - Thelma Velasquez
- Pediatric OncologyUnidad Nacional de Oncología PediátricaGuatemala CityGuatemala
| | - Cecilia Ugaz
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades NeoplásicasLimaPeru
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Florencia Moreno
- Registro Onco‐Pediatrico Hospitalario Argentino (ROHA, Hospital based Pediatric Cancer Registry from Argentina)Buenos AiresArgentina,Instituto Nacional del CancerBuenos AiresArgentina
| | | | - Yessika Gamboa
- Pediatric OncologyHospital Nacional de NiñosSan JoséCosta Rica
| | | | - Ligia Fu
- Hemato‐OncologiaHospital Escuela UniversitarioTegucigalpaHonduras
| | | | - Katiuska Moreno
- Docente de pregrado de hematologia universidad laica Eloy Alfaro de ManabiHospital Verdi Cevallos Balda ‐ Hospital especialidades PortoviejoManabiEcuador
| | - Oscar Gonzales
- Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr. Juan I MenchacaGuadalajaraJaliscoMéxico
| | | | - Sandra Luna‐Fineman
- University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraColoradoUSA,Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury PreventionWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | | | - Soad Fuentes‐Alabi
- Non‐Communicable DiseasesPan American Health OrganizationWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA,Pediatric OncologyHospital Nacional de Niños Benjamin Bloom y Fundacion Ayudame a Vivir Pro‐ Ninos con Cancer de El SalvadorSan SalvadorEl Salvador
| | - Silvana Luciani
- Non‐Communicable DiseasesPan American Health OrganizationWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Andrea Cappellano
- Department of Pediatric Neuro‐OncologyInstituto de Oncologia Pediátrica ‐ IOP/GRAACC/UNIFESPSão PauloBrazil
| | - Guillermo Chantada
- Pediatrics Hematology and OncologyHospital AustralPilarArgentina,Pediatric OncologyHospital Pereira RossellMontevideoUruguay,Fundación Perez ScreminiMontevideoUruguay
| | - Liliana Vasquez
- Non‐Communicable DiseasesPan American Health OrganizationWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA,Facultad de MedicinaCentro de Investigación de Medicina de Precisión, Universidad de San Martín de PorresLimaPerú
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24
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Di Cosimo S, Susca N, Apolone G, Silvestris N, Racanelli V. The worldwide impact of COVID-19 on cancer care: A meta-analysis of surveys published after the first wave of the pandemic. Front Oncol 2022; 12:961380. [PMID: 36249038 PMCID: PMC9556993 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.961380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The rapid and global spread of COVID-19 posed a massive challenge to healthcare systems, which came across the need to provide high-intensity assistance to thousands of patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection while assuring continuous care for all other diseases. This has been of particular importance in the oncology field. This study explores how oncology centers responded to the pandemic at a single center level by assessing surveys addressing different aspects of cancer care after the pandemic outbreak. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cancer care surveys published until December 11th, 2020. Data were analyzed according to three main areas of interest, namely health care organization, including cancellation/delay and/or modification of scheduled treatments, cancellation/delay of outpatient visits, and reduction of overall cancer care activities; routine use of preventive measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) by both patients and health care workers, and systematic SARS-CoV-2 screening by nasopharyngeal swabs; and implementation of telemedicine through remote consultations. Findings Fifty surveys reporting data on 9150 providers from 121 countries on 5 continents were included. Cancellation/delay of treatment occurred in 58% of centers; delay of outpatient visits in 75%; changes in treatment plans in 65%; and a general reduction in clinical activity in 58%. Routine use of PPE by patients and healthcare personnel was reported by 81% and 80% of centers, respectively; systematic SARS-CoV-2 screening by nasopharyngeal swabs was reported by only 41% of centers. Virtual visits were implemented by the majority (72%) of centers. Interpretation These results describe the negative impact of COVID-19 on cancer care, the rapid response of cancer centers in terms of preventive measures and alternative treatment approaches such as telemedicine, and confirm that surveys can provide the valuable, low-cost and immediate information that critical situations require.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Di Cosimo
- Platform of Integrated Biology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Susca
- School of Medicine: Interdisciplinary of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Apolone
- Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- School of Medicine: Interdisciplinary of Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Vito Racanelli,
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25
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McNeil MJ, Ehrlich B, Yakimkova T, Wang H, Mishkova V, Bezler Z, Kumirova E, Madni A, Movsisyan N, Williams K, Baizakova B, Borisevich M, Chatman G, Erimbetova I, Quintero XG, Golban R, Kirby B, Nunez P, Ranadive R, Sakhar N, Sonnenfelt J, Volkova A, Moreira D, Friedrichsdorf SJ, Wolfe J, Remke S, Hauser J, Devidas M, Baker JN, Agulnik A. Regional adaptation of the education in palliative and end-of-life Care Pediatrics (EPEC-Pediatrics) curriculum in Eurasia. Cancer Med 2022; 12:3657-3669. [PMID: 36073348 PMCID: PMC9939085 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is a priority to improve pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) care in Eurasia. However, there are limited regional opportunities for PPC education. We describe the adaptation and implementation of a bilingual end-user Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (EPEC)-Pediatrics course for PHO clinicians in Eurasia. METHODS Due to COVID-19, this course was delivered virtually, consisting of prerecorded, asynchronous lectures, and a bilingual workshop with interactive lectures and small group sessions. A pre-postcourse design was used to evaluate the knowledge acquisition of the participants including their knowledge alignment with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, ideal timing of palliative care, and comfort in providing palliative care to their patients. Questions were mostly quantitative with multiple choice or Likert scale options, supplemented by free-text responses. RESULTS A total of 44 (76%) participants from 14 countries completed all components of the course including pre- and postcourse assessments. Participant alignment with WHO guidance improved from 75% in the pre- to 90% in the postcourse assessments (p < 0.001). After participation, 93% felt more confident controlling the suffering of children at the end of life, 91% felt more confident in prescribing opioids and managing pain, and 98% better understood how to hold difficult conversations with patients and families. Most participants (98%) stated that they will change their clinical practice based on the skills and knowledge gained in this course. CONCLUSIONS We present a successful regional adaptation of the EPEC-Pediatrics curriculum, including novel delivery of course content via a virtual bilingual format. This course resulted in significant improvement in participant attitudes and knowledge of PPC along with an understanding of the ideal timing of palliative care consultation and comfort in providing PPC to children with cancer. We plan to incorporate participant feedback to improve the course and repeat it annually to improve access to high-quality palliative care education for PHO clinicians in Eurasia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bella Ehrlich
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | | | - Huiqi Wang
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Volha Mishkova
- Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric OncologyHematology and ImmunologyMinskBelarus
| | - Zhanna Bezler
- Belarusian Clinical Center of Palliative Care for ChildrenMinskBelarus
| | - Ella Kumirova
- Dmitry Rogachev National Research Center of Pediatric HematologyOncology and ImmunologyMoscowRussia,Russian Scientific Center of Roengenology and RadiologyMoscowRussia,Pyrogov Medical UniversityMoscowRussia,Morozovskaya Children's City Clinical HospitalMoscowRussia,N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of OncologyMoscowRussia
| | - Arshia Madni
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Narine Movsisyan
- Yerevan State Medical University After Mkhitar HeratsiYerevanArmenia
| | - Karen Williams
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Baglan Baizakova
- George Washington UniversityThe Milken Institute School of Public HealthWashington, District of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Marina Borisevich
- Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric OncologyHematology and ImmunologyMinskBelarus
| | | | - Indira Erimbetova
- The Republican Center for Hematology and Blood TransfusionTashkentUzbekistan
| | | | - Rodica Golban
- Institute of Oncology of Republic of MoldovaMoldovaChisinau
| | - Brandi Kirby
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Paola Nunez
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Nadezhda Sakhar
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric SurgeryMinskBelarus
| | | | - Alisa Volkova
- Raisa Gorbacheva Memorial Research Institute for Pediatric OncologyHematology and TransplantationSt. PetersburgRussia
| | - Daniel Moreira
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Joanne Wolfe
- Dana Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Stacy Remke
- University of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Asya Agulnik
- St. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTennesseeUSA
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26
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Gumy JM, Silverstein A, Kaye EC, Caniza MA, Homsi MR, Pritchard-Jones K, Bate JM. Global caregiver concerns of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in children with cancer: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 40:341-351. [PMID: 35876691 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2022.2101724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to understand global caregiver concerns about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for children with cancer and to provide healthcare providers with guidance to support parental decision-making. A co-designed cross-sectional mixed-methods survey was distributed to primary caregivers of children with cancer globally between April and May 2021 via several media. Caregivers were asked to rate the importance of vaccine-related questions and the median scores were ranked. Principal Component Analysis was conducted to identify underlying dimensions of caregiver concerns by World Bank income groups. Content analysis of free-text responses was conducted and triangulated with the quantitative findings. 627 caregivers from 22 countries responded to the survey with 5.3% (n = 67) responses from low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). 184 caregivers (29%) provided free-text responses. Side effects and vaccine safety were caregivers' primary concerns in all countries. Questions related to logistics were of concern for caregivers in LMIC. A small minority of caregivers (n = 17) did not consider the survey questions important; free-text analysis identified these parents as vaccine hesitant, some of them quoting safety and side effects as main reasons for hesitancy. Healthcare providers and other community organizations globally need to provide tailored information about vaccine safety and effectiveness in pediatric oncology settings. Importantly, continued efforts are imperative to reduce global inequities in logistical access to vaccines, particularly in LMIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gumy
- School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Allison Silverstein
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Erica C Kaye
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Miguela A Caniza
- Departments of Global Pediatric Medicine and Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Maysam R Homsi
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kathy Pritchard-Jones
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Jessica M Bate
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Parakh N, Pahuja S, Singh V, Kumar N, Chandra J. COVID-19 pandemic and care of transfusion-dependent patients of thalassaemia: Experience from a paediatric centre in North India. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:1760-1765. [PMID: 35789061 PMCID: PMC9350329 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to health services and has significantly affected the management of non-Covid illnesses, like thalassemia. The present study documents the impact of Covid-associated restrictions and disruptions on working of the pediatric thalassemia day care centre (TDCC), and measures taken by TDCC and blood transfusion services to adapt to and mitigate the negative impact of Covid pandemic and associated lockdown on patient care. METHODS Pre-transfusion haemoglobin and packed cell transfusion requirement were compared across three time periods, namely pre-lockdown, lockdown and post-lockdown in paediatric transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT) patients. Caregivers were interviewed to document any problems faced by them. RESULTS The study involved 181 TDT patients. There was a significant reduction in mean pre-transfusion haemoglobin and red cells transfused during lockdown phase as compared to pre-lockdown phase. Regular care was interrupted in 45% of patients and 76% of patients getting blood from outside could not get leukoreduced red cells. Investigations, monitoring and continuity of iron chelation were also affected. Blood centre faced 30.5% reduction in blood supply during lockdown. TDCC and blood centre took several steps, including prolongation of service hours and staggering of transfusions to ensure maximum transfusions while ensuring social distancing. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic imposed many unprecedented challenges to the routine care of thalassaemic patients; however, some of them could be dealt with by a proactive approach and micro-planning at the institution level. Other similar resource-limited settings could learn from experiences for continued quality care for chronic medical conditions during pandemic like situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur Parakh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Department of PediatricsLHMC and Associated KSCHNew DelhiIndia
| | - Sangeeta Pahuja
- Department of Immuno‐Haematology and Blood TransfusionLHMC and Associated KSCHNew DelhiIndia
| | - Varinder Singh
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Department of PediatricsLHMC and Associated KSCHNew DelhiIndia
| | - Narender Kumar
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Department of PediatricsLHMC and Associated KSCHNew DelhiIndia
| | - Jagdish Chandra
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Department of PediatricsLHMC and Associated KSCHNew DelhiIndia
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28
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Sundland R, Essig R, Bachier-Rodriguez M. Lessons Learned from the Surgical Management of Childhood Cancers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatr Ann 2022; 51:e270-e276. [PMID: 35858216 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20220504-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Globally, there have been more than 285 million confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with nearly 5.5 million deaths. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data report that in the United States alone, there have been more than 59 million cases of COVID-19 with more than 800,000 lives lost as of January 2022. Similar to other health care specialties, pediatric surgery departments have modified their treatment approach to delivering timely care while respecting resource allocation during the pandemic. In this review, we focus on the surgical management of pediatric patients, with specific attention to childhood cancer. The primary subject of this review is the development of triaging methods for patients with childhood cancer for surgical procedures and precautionary measures for operating on patients with COVID-19. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51():e270-e276.].
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29
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Armocida B, Monasta L, Sawyer S, Bustreo F, Segafredo G, Castelpietra G, Ronfani L, Pasovic M, Hay S, Perel P, Beran D, Monasta L, Sawyer SM, Bustreo F, Segafredo G, Castelpietra G, Ronfani L, Pasovic M, Hay SI, Abila DB, Abolhassani H, Accrombessi MMK, Adekanmbi V, Ahmadi K, Al Hamad H, Aldeyab MA, Al-Jumaily A, Ancuceanu R, Andrei CL, Andrei T, Arumugam A, Attia S, Aujayeb A, Ausloos M, Baker JL, Barone-Adesi F, Barra F, Barteit S, Basu S, Baune BT, Béjot Y, Belo L, Bennett DA, Bikbov B, Bikov A, Blyuss O, Breitner S, Brenner H, Carreras G, Carvalho M, Catapano AL, Chandan JS, Charalampous P, Chen S, Conde J, Cruz-Martins N, Damiani G, Dastiridou A, de la Torre-Luque A, Dianatinasab M, Dias da Silva D, Douiri A, Dragioti E, Engelbert Bain L, Fagbamigbe AF, Fereshtehnejad SM, Ferrara P, Ferreira de Oliveira JMP, Ferrero S, Ferro Desideri L, Fischer F, Fonseca DA, Gaewkhiew P, Gaihre S, Gallus S, Gaspar Fonseca M, Gill PS, Glasbey JC, Gorini G, Gupta VK, Gurara MK, Haro JM, Hasan MT, Havmoeller RJ, Heibati B, Hellemons ME, Herteliu C, Hussain S, Isola G, Johnson O, Jonas JB, Jozwiak JJ, Jürisson M, Kabir Z, Karch A, Kauppila JH, Kayode GA, Khan MAB, Khatab K, Kivimäki M, Klugar M, Klugarová J, Koly KN, Koyanagi A, Kurmi OP, Kusuma D, La Vecchia C, Lacey B, Lallukka T, Lamnisos D, Langguth B, Larsson AO, Lauriola P, Lee PH, Leonardi M, Li A, Linehan C, López-Bueno R, Lorkowski S, Loureiro JA, Lunevicius R, Magee LA, Magnani FG, Majeed A, Makris KC, Mathioudakis AG, Mathur MR, McGrath JJ, Menezes RG, Mentis AFA, Meretoja A, Mestrovic T, Miao Jonasson J, Miazgowski T, Mirica A, Moccia M, Mohammed S, Molokhia M, Mondello S, Mueller UO, Mulita F, Munblit D, Negoi I, Negoi RI, Nena E, Noor NM, Nowak C, Ntaios G, Nwatah VE, Oancea B, Oguntade AS, Ortiz A, Otoiu A, Padron-Monedero A, Palladino R, Pana A, Panagiotakos D, Panda-Jonas S, Pardhan S, Patel J, Pedersini P, Peñalvo JL, Pensato U, Pereira RB, Perico N, Petcu IR, Polinder S, Postma MJ, Rabiee M, Rabiee N, Raggi A, Rahimzadeh S, Rawaf DL, Rawaf S, Rehman FU, Remuzzi G, Riad A, Rodriguez A, Sacco S, Saeb MR, Safdarian M, Sathian B, Sattin D, Saxena S, Scarmeas N, Schlee W, Schwendicke F, Shamsizadeh M, Sharew NT, Shiri R, Shivalli S, Shivarov V, Silva JP, Simpson CR, Skou ST, Socea B, Soyiri IN, Steiropoulos P, Straif K, Sun X, Tabarés-Seisdedos R, Thiyagarajan A, Topouzis F, Tovani-Palone MR, Truelsen TC, Unim B, Van den Eynde J, Vasankari TJ, Veroux M, Villafaina S, Vinko M, Violante FS, Volovici V, Wang Y, Westerman R, Yadegarfar ME, Yaya S, Zadnik V, Zumla A, Perel P, Beran D. Burden of non-communicable diseases among adolescents aged 10-24 years in the EU, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2022; 6:367-383. [PMID: 35339209 PMCID: PMC9090900 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00073-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disability and mortality burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have risen worldwide; however, the NCD burden among adolescents remains poorly described in the EU. METHODS Estimates were retrieved from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019. Causes of NCDs were analysed at three different levels of the GBD 2019 hierarchy, for which mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were extracted. Estimates, with the 95% uncertainty intervals (UI), were retrieved for EU Member States from 1990 to 2019, three age subgroups (10-14 years, 15-19 years, and 20-24 years), and by sex. Spearman's correlation was conducted between DALY rates for NCDs and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) of each EU Member State. FINDINGS In 2019, NCDs accounted for 86·4% (95% uncertainty interval 83·5-88·8) of all YLDs and 38·8% (37·4-39·8) of total deaths in adolescents aged 10-24 years. For NCDs in this age group, neoplasms were the leading causes of both mortality (4·01 [95% uncertainty interval 3·62-4·25] per 100 000 population) and YLLs (281·78 [254·25-298·92] per 100 000 population), whereas mental disorders were the leading cause for YLDs (2039·36 [1432·56-2773·47] per 100 000 population) and DALYs (2040·59 [1433·96-2774·62] per 100 000 population) in all EU Member States, and in all studied age groups. In 2019, among adolescents aged 10-24 years, males had a higher mortality rate per 100 000 population due to NCDs than females (11·66 [11·04-12·28] vs 7·89 [7·53-8·23]), whereas females presented a higher DALY rate per 100 000 population due to NCDs (8003·25 [5812·78-10 701·59] vs 6083·91 [4576·63-7857·92]). From 1990 to 2019, mortality rate due to NCDs in adolescents aged 10-24 years substantially decreased (-40·41% [-43·00 to -37·61), and also the YLL rate considerably decreased (-40·56% [-43·16 to -37·74]), except for mental disorders (which increased by 32·18% [1·67 to 66·49]), whereas the YLD rate increased slightly (1·44% [0·09 to 2·79]). Positive correlations were observed between DALY rates and SDIs for substance use disorders (rs=0·58, p=0·0012) and skin and subcutaneous diseases (rs=0·45, p=0·017), whereas negative correlations were found between DALY rates and SDIs for cardiovascular diseases (rs=-0·46, p=0·015), neoplasms (rs=-0·57, p=0·0015), and sense organ diseases (rs=-0·61, p=0·0005). INTERPRETATION NCD-related mortality has substantially declined among adolescents in the EU between 1990 and 2019, but the rising trend of YLL attributed to mental disorders and their YLD burden are concerning. Differences by sex, age group, and across EU Member States highlight the importance of preventive interventions and scaling up adolescent-responsive health-care systems, which should prioritise specific needs by sex, age, and location. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Armocida
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Monasta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Susan Sawyer
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Giulio Castelpietra
- Outpatient and Inpatient Care Service, Central Health Directorate, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Ronfani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maja Pasovic
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Simon Hay
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Pablo Perel
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - David Beran
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland
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Pritchard-Jones K, Challinor JM, Hunger SP, Sung L, Davidson A, Morrissey LK, Khan MS, Dalvi RB, Sullivan MJ, Hessissen L, Chantada GL, Kearns P, Frazier AL, Wollaert S, Laub T. SIOP Strategy 2021-2025: Cure for more, care for all. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29577. [PMID: 35166434 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Pritchard-Jones
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Alan Davidson
- Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Rashmi B Dalvi
- Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences SRCC Children's Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Michael J Sullivan
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Pamela Kearns
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susanne Wollaert
- Executive Director, International Society of Paediatric Oncology, Meierskappel, Switzerland
| | - Tzvetomira Laub
- Executive Director for Programmes and Strategy, International Society of Paediatric Oncology, Meierskappel, Switzerland
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Erdmann F, Spix C, Schrappe M, Borkhardt A, Schüz J. Temporal changes of the incidence of childhood cancer in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: Updated analyses from the German Childhood Cancer Registry. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2022; 17:100398. [PMID: 35573974 PMCID: PMC9091810 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Erdmann
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, Mainz 55131, Germany
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO), 150 cours Albert Thomas, Lyon 69372, France
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS, Achterstraße 30, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | - Claudia Spix
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, Mainz 55131, Germany
| | - Martin Schrappe
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-University and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller Straße 3, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Center for Child and Adolescent Health, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partnering Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO), 150 cours Albert Thomas, Lyon 69372, France
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32
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Chow EJ, Englund JA. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections in Children. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2022; 36:435-479. [PMID: 35636909 PMCID: PMC8806161 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in children generally have milder presentations, but severe disease can occur in all ages. MIS-C and persistent post-acute COVID-19 symptoms can be experienced by children with previous infection and emphasize the need for infection prevention. Optimal treatment for COVID-19 is not known, and clinical trials should include children to guide therapy. Vaccines are the best tool at preventing infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. Children suffered disproportionately during the pandemic not only from SARS-CoV-2 infection but because of disruptions to daily life, access to primary care, and worsening income inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Chow
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356423, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Corresponding author.
| | - Janet A. Englund
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 4800 Sand Point Way NE - MA7.234, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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Ngwa W, Addai BW, Adewole I, Ainsworth V, Alaro J, Alatise OI, Ali Z, Anderson BO, Anorlu R, Avery S, Barango P, Bih N, Booth CM, Brawley OW, Dangou JM, Denny L, Dent J, Elmore SNC, Elzawawy A, Gashumba D, Geel J, Graef K, Gupta S, Gueye SM, Hammad N, Hessissen L, Ilbawi AM, Kambugu J, Kozlakidis Z, Manga S, Maree L, Mohammed SI, Msadabwe S, Mutebi M, Nakaganda A, Ndlovu N, Ndoh K, Ndumbalo J, Ngoma M, Ngoma T, Ntizimira C, Rebbeck TR, Renner L, Romanoff A, Rubagumya F, Sayed S, Sud S, Simonds H, Sullivan R, Swanson W, Vanderpuye V, Wiafe B, Kerr D. Cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a Lancet Oncology Commission. Lancet Oncol 2022; 23:e251-e312. [PMID: 35550267 PMCID: PMC9393090 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00720-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), urgent action is needed to curb a growing crisis in cancer incidence and mortality. Without rapid interventions, data estimates show a major increase in cancer mortality from 520 348 in 2020 to about 1 million deaths per year by 2030. Here, we detail the state of cancer in SSA, recommend key actions on the basis of analysis, and highlight case studies and successful models that can be emulated, adapted, or improved across the region to reduce the growing cancer crises. Recommended actions begin with the need to develop or update national cancer control plans in each country. Plans must include childhood cancer plans, managing comorbidities such as HIV and malnutrition, a reliable and predictable supply of medication, and the provision of psychosocial, supportive, and palliative care. Plans should also engage traditional, complementary, and alternative medical practices employed by more than 80% of SSA populations and pathways to reduce missed diagnoses and late referrals. More substantial investment is needed in developing cancer registries and cancer diagnostics for core cancer tests. We show that investments in, and increased adoption of, some approaches used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hypofractionated radiotherapy and telehealth, can substantially increase access to cancer care in Africa, accelerate cancer prevention and control efforts, increase survival, and save billions of US dollars over the next decade. The involvement of African First Ladies in cancer prevention efforts represents one practical approach that should be amplified across SSA. Moreover, investments in workforce training are crucial to prevent millions of avoidable deaths by 2030. We present a framework that can be used to strategically plan cancer research enhancement in SSA, with investments in research that can produce a return on investment and help drive policy and effective collaborations. Expansion of universal health coverage to incorporate cancer into essential benefits packages is also vital. Implementation of the recommended actions in this Commission will be crucial for reducing the growing cancer crises in SSA and achieving political commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by a third by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred Ngwa
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Information and Sciences, ICT University, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Beatrice W Addai
- Breast Care International, Peace and Love Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Isaac Adewole
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Victoria Ainsworth
- Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - James Alaro
- National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Zipporah Ali
- Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Benjamin O Anderson
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Non-communicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rose Anorlu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Stephen Avery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Prebo Barango
- WHO, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Noella Bih
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher M Booth
- Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Otis W Brawley
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Lynette Denny
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council, Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | | | - Shekinah N C Elmore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ahmed Elzawawy
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | | | - Jennifer Geel
- Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katy Graef
- BIO Ventures for Global Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sumit Gupta
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Nazik Hammad
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Laila Hessissen
- Pediatric Oncology Department, Pediatric Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Andre M Ilbawi
- Department of Non-communicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joyce Kambugu
- Department of Pediatrics, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Zisis Kozlakidis
- Laboratory Services and Biobank Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Simon Manga
- Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Lize Maree
- Department of Nursing Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sulma I Mohammed
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Susan Msadabwe
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Miriam Mutebi
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Ntokozo Ndlovu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Kingsley Ndoh
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Mamsau Ngoma
- Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Twalib Ngoma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Timothy R Rebbeck
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lorna Renner
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anya Romanoff
- Department of Health System Design and Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fidel Rubagumya
- Department of Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda; University of Global Health Equity, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Shahin Sayed
- Department of Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Shivani Sud
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hannah Simonds
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | | | - William Swanson
- Department of Physics and Applied Physics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Verna Vanderpuye
- National Centre for Radiotherapy, Oncology, and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - David Kerr
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Domínguez-Rojas JA, Rojas-Soto N, Vásquez-Hoyos P, Coronado Munoz AJ. Difficult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosis in a paediatric patient with mixed presentation of COVID-19 acute respiratory failure and multisystemic inflammatory syndrome. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:15/5/e248478. [PMID: 35606038 PMCID: PMC9125712 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-248478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
New diagnoses of leukaemia and other malignancies are recently being made in paediatric patients with COVID-19. The rates of mortality and morbidity in some of these children are expected to be higher. In new cases, concurrent diagnosis can be difficult because multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and malignancies have similar clinical presentations. We present the case of a preteenage child where the diagnosis of leukaemia was complicated and delayed by a multisystem involvement and an inconclusive bone marrow study. Clinical teams managing children with COVID-19 and MIS-C should suspect leukaemia and other malignancies when the clinical course is complicated and bone marrow suppression is persistent. Prompt diagnosis will allow start of treatment on time, minimising complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Angel Domínguez-Rojas
- Pediatric Department, National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru.,Critical Pediatrics Department, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Lima, Peru
| | - Ninoska Rojas-Soto
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru
| | - Pablo Vásquez-Hoyos
- Pediatria, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia.,Pediatria, Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Alvaro J Coronado Munoz
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Dominguez-Rojas JÁ, Vásquez-Hoyos P, Pérez-Morales R, Monsalve-Quintero AM, Mora-Robles L, Diaz-Diaz A, Torres SF, Castro-Dajer Á, Cabanillas-Burgos LY, Aguilera-Avendaño V, Cantillano-Quintero EM, Camporesi A, Agulnik A, Mukkada S, Alvarado-Gamarra G, Rojas-Soto N, Mendieta-Zevallos AL, Tello-Pezo MV, Vásquez-Ponce L, Lasso-Palomino RE, Pérez-Arroyave MC, Trujillo-Honeysberg M, Mesa-Monsalve JG, Pardo González CA, López Cubillos JF, Gonzalez-Dambrauskas S, Coronado-Munoz A. Association of Cancer Diagnosis and Therapeutic Stage With Mortality in Pediatric Patients With COVID-19, Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study From Latin America. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:885633. [PMID: 35592840 PMCID: PMC9110860 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.885633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Children with cancer are at risk of critical disease and mortality from COVID-19 infection. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with cancer and COVID-19 from multiple Latin American centers and risk factors associated with mortality in this population. Methods This study is a multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted at 12 hospitals from 6 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras and Peru) from April to November 2021. Patients younger than 14 years of age that had an oncological diagnosis and COVID-19 or multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) who were treated in the inpatient setting were included. The primary exposure was the diagnosis and treatment status, and the primary outcome was mortality. We defined "new diagnosis" as patients with no previous diagnosis of cancer, "established diagnosis" as patients with cancer and ongoing treatment and "relapse" as patients with cancer and ongoing treatment that had a prior cancer-free period. A frequentist analysis was performed including a multivariate logistic regression for mortality. Results Two hundred and ten patients were included in the study; 30 (14%) died during the study period and 67% of patients who died were admitted to critical care. Demographics were similar in survivors and non-survivors. Patients with low weight for age (<-2SD) had higher mortality (28 vs. 3%, p = 0.019). There was statistically significant difference of mortality between patients with new diagnosis (36.7%), established diagnosis (1.4%) and relapse (60%), (p <0.001). Most patients had hematological cancers (69%) and they had higher mortality (18%) compared to solid tumors (6%, p= 0.032). Patients with concomitant bacterial infections had higher mortality (40%, p = 0.001). MIS-C, respiratory distress, cardiovascular symptoms, altered mental status and acute kidney injury on admission were associated with higher mortality. Acidosis, hypoxemia, lymphocytosis, severe neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia on admission were also associated with mortality. A multivariate logistic regression showed risk factors associated with mortality: concomitant bacterial infection OR 3 95%CI (1.1-8.5), respiratory symptoms OR 5.7 95%CI (1.7-19.4), cardiovascular OR 5.2 95%CI (1.2-14.2), new cancer diagnosis OR 12 95%CI (1.3-102) and relapse OR 25 95%CI (2.9-214). Conclusion Our study shows that pediatric patients with new onset diagnosis of cancer and patients with relapse have higher odds of all-cause mortality in the setting of COVID-19. This information would help develop an early identification of patients with cancer and COVID-19 with higher risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Ángel Dominguez-Rojas
- Pediatric Critical Care, Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica (LARed Network), Lima, Peru
| | - Pablo Vásquez-Hoyos
- Pediatric Critical Care, Hospital de San Jose, Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica (LARed Network), Bogota, Colombia
- Research Division, Department of Pediatrics, Fundacion Universitatia de Ciencias de la Salud–FUCS, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo Pérez-Morales
- Pediatric Critical Care, HOMI Fundacion Hospital Pediatrico La Misericordia, Bogota, Colombia
| | | | | | - Alejandro Diaz-Diaz
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe y Hospital General de Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Silvio Fabio Torres
- Pediatric Critical Care, Hospital Universitario Austral Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna Camporesi
- Department of Pediatric Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Asya Agulnik
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Sheena Mukkada
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Giancarlo Alvarado-Gamarra
- Pediatrics, Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru
- Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Perú
| | | | | | | | - Liliana Vásquez-Ponce
- Research Center “Medicina de Precisión, ” Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Lima, Perú
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sebastián Gonzalez-Dambrauskas
- Specialized Pediatric Critical Care (CIPe), Casa de Galicia, Red Colaborativa Pediátrica de Latinoamérica (LARed Network), Montevideo, Uruguay
- Medical School, Pediatric Critical Care, Pereira Rossell Medical Center (UCIN-CHPR), Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alvaro Coronado-Munoz
- Pediatric Critical Care Division, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Majeed A, Wright T, Guo B, Arora RS, Lam CG, Martiniuk AL. The Global Impact of COVID-19 on Childhood Cancer Outcomes and Care Delivery - A Systematic Review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:869752. [PMID: 35463381 PMCID: PMC9023072 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.869752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Childhood cancer represents a leading cause of death and disease burden in high income countries (HICs) and low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). It is postulated that the current COVID-19 pandemic has hampered global development of pediatric oncology care programs. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively review the global impact of COVID-19 on childhood cancer clinical outcomes and care delivery. Methods A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the African Medical Index from inception to November 3, 2021 following PRISMA guidelines. A manual search was performed to identify additional relevant studies. Articles were selected based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Findings The majority of studies reported patients with cancer and COVID-19 presenting as asymptomatic (HICs: 33.7%, LMICs: 22.0%) or with primary manifestations of fever (HICs: 36.1%, LMICs: 51.4%) and respiratory symptoms (HICs: 29.6%, LMICs: 11.7%). LMICs also reported a high frequency of patients presenting with cough (23.6%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (10.6%). The majority of patients were generally noted to have a good prognosis; however the crude mortality rate was higher in LMICs when compared to HICs (8.0% vs 1.8%). Moreover, the pandemic has resulted in delays and interruptions to cancer therapies and delays in childhood cancer diagnoses in both HICs and LMICs. However, these findings were disproportionately reported in LMICs, with significant staff shortages, supply chain disruptions, and limited access to cancer therapies for patients. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in delays and interruptions to childhood cancer therapies and delays in childhood cancer diagnoses, and disproportionately so within LMICs. This review provides lessons learned for future system-wide disruptions to care, as well as provides key points for moving forward better with care through the remainder of this pandemic. Systematic Review Registration CRD42021266758, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=266758
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Majeed
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tom Wright
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Biqi Guo
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ramandeep S Arora
- Department of Medical Oncology, Max Super-Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Catherine G Lam
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine and Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Alexandra L Martiniuk
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Müller J, Szűcs-Farkas D, Szegedi I, Csóka M, Garami M, Tiszlavicz LG, Hauser P, Kriván G, Csanádi K, Ottóffy G, Nagy B, Kiss C, Kovács G. Clinical Course of COVID-19 Disease in Children Treated With Neoplastic Diseases in Hungary. Pathol Oncol Res 2022; 28:1610261. [PMID: 35431663 PMCID: PMC9008132 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We report on children with cancer in Hungary suffering from COVID-19, surveying a 13-months-long period of time. We performed a retrospective clinical trial studying the medical documentation of children treated in seven centers of the Hungarian Pediatric Oncology-Hematology Group. About 10% of children admitted to tertiary hemato-oncological centers for anti-neoplastic treatment or diagnosis for de novo malignancies were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nearly two-thirds of the infected patients were asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms but showed seropositivity by 1–4.5 months after positive PCR. One third of the SARS-CoV-2-positive children were hospitalized due to symptomatic COVID-19. Five children required antiviral treatment with remdesivir. One child was referred to the intensive care unit, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Delay in the scheduled anti-cancer treatment did not exceed 2 weeks in the majority (89%) of cases. There was only one patient requiring treatment deferral longer than a month. There was no COVID-19-related death in patients under 18 years of age, and nor was multisystem inflammatory syndrome diagnosed. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 infection did not represent an untoward risk factor among children with cancer in Hungary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Müller
- Second Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Szűcs-Farkas
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Szegedi
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Monika Csóka
- Second Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Garami
- Second Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Péter Hauser
- Haematology/Oncology and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Child Health Centre, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen County Hospital, Miskolc, Hungary
| | - Gergely Kriván
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, South-Pest Centrum Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Csanádi
- Hemato-Oncology Unit, Heim Pal Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Ottóffy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Béla Nagy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csongor Kiss
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kovács
- Second Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Sahli I, Widjajanto PH, Njuguna F, Kaspers G, Mostert S. Impact of COVID‐19 Measures on a Paediatric Oncology Outreach‐Program INVESTIGATORS & INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION. Psychooncology 2022; 31:860-864. [PMID: 35403292 PMCID: PMC9088594 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Paediatric oncology outreach‐programs have been effective development interventions to reduce inequalities in healthcare between high‐income countries (HIC) versus low and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Little is known about their sustainability during times of a pandemic This study assesses the impact of COVID‐19 government measures on a paediatric oncology outreach‐program between three large referral hospitals in Netherlands (HIC), Indonesia (LMIC) and Kenya (LMIC) COVID‐19 government measures have impacted childhood cancer care at all three hospitals. However, disruptions in services are more prominent at partner sites in LMIC, increasing existing inequalities COVID‐19 government measures have adversely affected the wellbeing of children with cancer in both HIC and LMIC, and the chances of survival of children with cancer in LMIC Government leaders and policy makers should take collateral damage of their COVID‐19 policies and local settings into account to protect children with cancer in LMIC
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Sahli
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Pudjo H Widjajanto
- Department of Pediatric Oncology Dr Sardjito General Hospital Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta Indonesia
| | - Festus Njuguna
- Department of Child Health and Pediatrics Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Moi University Eldoret Kenya
| | - Gertjan Kaspers
- Emma’s Children Hospital Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit Pediatric Oncology Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Mostert
- Emma’s Children Hospital Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit Pediatric Oncology Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology Utrecht The Netherlands
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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e054690. [PMID: 35410925 PMCID: PMC9021459 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally.
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40
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Ribes J, Pareja L, Sanz X, Mosteiro S, Escribà JM, Esteban L, Gálvez J, Osca G, Rodenas P, Pérez-Sust P, Borràs JM. Cancer diagnosis in Catalonia (Spain) after two years of COVID-19 pandemic: an incomplete recovery. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100486. [PMID: 35714476 PMCID: PMC9197337 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Ribes
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - L Pareja
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Sanz
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Mosteiro
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Escribà
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Esteban
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Gálvez
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Osca
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Rodenas
- Catalan Electronic Health Record, EHealth Office, Health/Catalan Health Service, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Pérez-Sust
- CatSalut Information Systems and Health Department ICT Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Borràs
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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41
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Bin HU, Jeong S, Lee H. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Declaration on New Oncology Trial Commencements: An Interrupted Time Series with Segmented Regression Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10030489. [PMID: 35326967 PMCID: PMC8953517 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10030489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the trend in oncology trial commencements registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and to evaluate the contributing factors by comparing the trends in the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic era. The ClinicalTrials.gov database was searched to identify oncology study trials starting from 1 January 2018 to 28 February 2021. Data on the variables of start/complete date, phase, status, funding source, center, country and study type were extracted. According to the time point of the COVID-19 pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO), March 2020, we analyzed the extracted data, including interrupted time series (ITS) analysis and multivariable regression analysis. We identified 18,561 new oncology trials during the study period. A total of 5678 oncology trials in the prepandemic period and 6134 in the postpandemic period were included in the comparative analysis. The year 2020 had the most newly launched trials (32.3%), and the majority of trials were planned to be conducted for longer than two years (70.3%). The results of ITS show the trend in the commencement of oncology trials was significantly increased after the pandemic declaration (coefficient = 27.99; 95% CI = 19.27 to 36.71). Drug intervention trials were the largest contributor to the increased trial number compared to different interventions, such as trials of devices or procedures (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.26, OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.29, and OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.31, respectively), whereas the United Kingdom was the highest contributor to the number of decreased trials (OR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.89 p = 0.01) in the postpandemic era. The interruption in oncology trial initiation was diminished shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration, which was influenced by several factors, such as interventions or national responses. Based on the current outcomes, appropriate strategies for developing oncology trials can be planned to mitigate the impact of future crises on oncology trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Uk Bin
- Department of Clinical Medicinal Sciences, Konyang University, Nonsan 32992, Korea;
| | - Sohyun Jeong
- Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02131, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02131, USA
| | - Heeyoung Lee
- Department of Clinical Medicinal Sciences, Konyang University, Nonsan 32992, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-730-5635
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42
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El-Qushayri AE, Benmelouka AY, Dahy A, Hashan MR. COVID-19 outcomes in paediatric cancer: A large scale pooled meta-analysis of 984 cancer patients. Rev Med Virol 2022; 32:e2344. [PMID: 35247015 PMCID: PMC9111056 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to study the outcomes of COVID‐19 in paediatric cancer patients. On 26 October 2021, we did a systematic search for relevant articles in seven electronic databases followed by manual search. We included cancer patients aged ≤18 years. Event rates and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to report the results. We included 21 papers after screening of 2759 records. The pooled rates of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality were 44% (95%CI: 30–59), 14% (95%CI: 9–21) and 9% (95%CI: 6–12), respectively. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that high income countries had better COVID‐19 outcomes compared to upper middle income countries and lower middle income countries in terms of hospitalisation 30% (95%CI: 17–46), 60% (95%CI: 29–84) and 47% (95%CI: 36–58), ICU admission 7% (95%CI: 1–32), 13% (95%CI: 7–23) and 18% (95%CI: 6–41), and mortality 3% (95%CI: 2–5), 12% (95%CI: 8–18) and 13% (95%CI: 8–20), in order. In general, absence of specific pharmacologic intervention to prevent infection with the scarcity of vaccination coverage data among paediatric groups and its impact, high priority caution is required to avoid SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among paediatric cancer patients. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of promoting care facilities for this vulnerable population in low and middle income regions to ensure quality care among cancer patients during pandemic crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mohammad Rashidul Hashan
- Bangladesh Civil Service, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
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43
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Moerdler S, Steinberg DM, Jin Z, Cole PD, Kesselheim J, Levy AS, Roth M, Rosenthal SL. Provider and staff crisis well-being associated with trust in leadership and baseline burnout. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29497. [PMID: 34890105 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the emotional health of health care workers continues to be an area of active research. However, few studies have focused on those working in pediatrics and its subspecialties, as well as ancillary and non-patient-facing staff. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated predictors of burnout and emotional well-being of providers and staff. METHODS An anonymous electronic survey was developed evaluating demographics, pandemic experiences, possible predictor variables, and three main outcomes of burnout, psychological distress, and perceived stress. Pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) chiefs and program directors across the country were invited to participate and disseminate the survey to their programs. RESULTS A total of 682/1950 (35% of invited) individuals responded to all predictor and outcome variables. Over half reported high levels of burnout and some reported moderate/high levels of distress. Prepandemic burnout and decreased trust in leadership were associated with all three outcomes. Additional predictors included having a child ≤18 years at home, hospital role, and worrying about patient care or relationship with their patients. The majority (n = 444/682, 65.5%) reported that their institution had made COVID-19-related mental health resources available. However, only 6.5% (n = 44/682) reported utilizing these resources. CONCLUSIONS While the majority of PHO providers and staff were resilient during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many reported high levels of burnout, yet few are utilizing institutional resources. This study has highlighted several actionable areas to help identify and address factors that are wearing down the emotional well-being of providers and staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Moerdler
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Dara M Steinberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Zhezhen Jin
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Peter D Cole
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jennifer Kesselheim
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam S Levy
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Brons, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Michael Roth
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Susan L Rosenthal
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York, USA
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44
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Agulnik A, Ferrara G, Puerto-Torres M, Gillipelli SR, Elish P, Muniz-Talavera H, Gonzalez-Ruiz A, Armenta M, Barra C, Diaz R, Hernandez C, Juárez Tobias S, de Jesus Loeza J, Mendez A, Montalvo E, Penafiel E, Pineda E, Graetz DE. Assessment of Barriers and Enablers to Implementation of a Pediatric Early Warning System in Resource-Limited Settings. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e221547. [PMID: 35262714 PMCID: PMC8908074 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.1547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid with early identification of clinical deterioration and improve outcomes in children with cancer hospitalized in resource-limited settings; however, there may be barriers to implementation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate stakeholder-reported barriers and enablers to PEWS implementation in resource-limited hospitals. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this qualitative study, semistructured stakeholder interviews were conducted at 5 resource-limited pediatric oncology centers in 4 countries in Latin America. Hospitals participating in a multicenter collaborative to implement PEWS were purposefully sampled based on time required for implementation (fast vs slow), and stakeholders interviewed included physicians, nurses, and administrators, involved in PEWS implementation. An interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interviews were conducted virtually in Spanish, audiorecorded, and professionally transcribed and translated into English. A codebook was developed a priori using the CFIR and supplemented with codes inductively derived from transcript review. Two coders independently analyzed all transcripts, achieving a κ of 0.8 to 0.9. The study was conducted from June 1 to August 31, 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Thematic analysis was conducted based on CFIR domains (inner setting, characteristics of individuals, outer setting, intervention characteristics, and implementation process) to identify barriers and enablers to PEWS implementation. RESULTS Seventy-one staff involved in PEWS implementation were interviewed, including 32 physicians (45%), 32 nurses (45%), and 7 administrators (10%). Of these, 50 were women (70%). Components of the 5 CFIR domains were mentioned by participants as barriers and enablers to PEWS implementation at both fast- and slow-implementing centers. Participants emphasized barriers at the level of the clinical staff, hospital, external factors, and PEWS intervention. These barriers included staff resistance to change, inadequate resources, components of health systems, and the perceived origin and complexity of PEWS. At all centers, most barriers were successfully converted to enablers during the implementation process through targeted strategies, such as early stakeholder engagement and adaptation, including adapting PEWS to better fit the local context and changing the hospital setting to support ongoing use of PEWS. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE To date, this is the first multicenter, multinational study describing barriers and enablers to PEWS implementation in resource-limited settings. Findings suggest that many barriers are not immutable and can be converted to enablers during the implementation process. This work can serve as a guide for clinicians looking to implement evidence-based interventions to reduce global disparities in patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asya Agulnik
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine and Division of Critical Care, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Gia Ferrara
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Maria Puerto-Torres
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Paul Elish
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hilmarie Muniz-Talavera
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Alejandra Gonzalez-Ruiz
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Miriam Armenta
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hospital General de Tijuana, Tijuana, México
| | - Camila Barra
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rosdali Diaz
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas, Lima, Perú
| | - Cinthia Hernandez
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hospital Infantil Teletón de Oncología, Querétaro, México
| | | | - Jose de Jesus Loeza
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hospital Centro Estatal de Cancerología, Xalapa, México
| | - Alejandra Mendez
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Erika Montalvo
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, Hospital Oncológico Solca Núcleo de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Eulalia Penafiel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Estuardo Pineda
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamín Bloom, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Dylan E. Graetz
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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45
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Graetz DE, Sniderman E, Villegas C, Ragab I, Laptsevich A, Maliti B, Naidu G, Zhang H, Gassant P, Nunes L, Arce D, Vasquez JM, Arora RS, Alcasabas AP, Rusmawatiningtyas D, Raza MR, Hamid SA, Velasco P, Kambugu J, Vinitsky A, Bolous NS, Haidar CE, Bihannic L, Sa da Bandeira D, Wang JX, Li D, Graca F, Vasilyeva A, Lesmana H, Galindo CR, Agulnik A, Moreira DC. Utilizing Multilingual Methods and Rapid Analysis for Global Qualitative Research During a Pandemic. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2022; 9:23333936221080969. [PMID: 35237707 PMCID: PMC8883294 DOI: 10.1177/23333936221080969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, qualitative research has complemented quantitative biologic and epidemiologic studies to provide a more complete understanding of pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated unique and novel challenges for qualitative researchers, who have embraced creative solutions including virtual focus groups and rapid analyses to continue their work. We present our experience conducting a multilingual global qualitative study of healthcare resilience among teams of pediatric oncology professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide an in-depth description of our methodology and an analysis of factors we believe contributed to our study’s success including our use of technology, engagement of a large multilingual team, global partnerships, and framework-based rapid analysis. We hope these techniques may be useful to qualitative researchers conducting studies during the current pandemic, as well as for all pediatric oncology studies including multiple languages or geographically disparate subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Iman Ragab
- Ain Shams University, Children’s Hospital, Hematology-Oncology Unit, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aliaksandra Laptsevich
- Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology Hematology and Immunology, Minsk, Belarus
| | | | - Gita Naidu
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Hui Zhang
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Daniela Arce
- Hospital Pediatrico de Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico
| | | | | | - Ana P Alcasabas
- University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Vinitsky
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Jade X Wang
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Dongfang Li
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Flavia Graca
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Harry Lesmana
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Asya Agulnik
- St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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46
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Kahn AR, Schwalm CM, Wolfson JA, Levine JM, Johnston EE. COVID-19 in Children with Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2022; 24:295-302. [PMID: 35113354 PMCID: PMC8811341 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This study aims to describe what is currently known about how children with cancer have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including morbidity and mortality, interruptions in cancer care and delays in diagnosis, and psychosocial effects. Here we summarize the literature on how this patient population has fared during the pandemic, reviewing multiple smaller reports along with two large registries. RECENT FINDINGS Although children with cancer generally have better outcomes with COVID-19 infection than adults with cancer, their risks of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death are greatly increased compared to the general pediatric population. There are socioeconomic and ethnic disparities present in these effects. Children with cancer experience significant risks from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has yet to be seen how delays and interruptions of cancer treatment and direct organ toxicities caused by the virus itself may affect long-term outcomes in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa R Kahn
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Saint Joseph's University Medical Center, 703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA.
| | - Carla M Schwalm
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Bronson Methodist Hospital, 601 John Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Julie Ann Wolfson
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue S, Lowder Suite 500, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jennifer M Levine
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th St, Payson 6, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| | - Emily E Johnston
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue S, Lowder Suite 500, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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47
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Rahmadhan MA, Parenrengi MA, Suryaningtyas W. A Case Report of Pediatric Germinoma With SARS-CoV-2: Lessons Learned From an Academic Tertiary Referral Hospital in Asian COVID Epicentrum. Int J Surg Case Rep 2022; 91:106774. [PMID: 35070644 PMCID: PMC8762814 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients often present with one or more pre-existing underlying chronic diseases that will affect their prognoses and mortality. A study revealed that the majority of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with either no or a single symptom. Meanwhile, multiple other studies reported of more severe diseases in SARS-CoV-2 infected children with brain tumor and/or cancer as a whole. Case report The patient was a 15-year-old male who was referred to our hospital with complaints of vomiting, headache, and signs of worsening right hemiparesis. Initial MRI suggested of a high-grade astrocytoma and hydrocephalus, but a subtotal tumor resection and external ventricular drainage gave light to a histopathological examination conclusive of germinoma. After adhering to radiotherapy and recovering well, the patient fell into unconsciousness 9 months later and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient deteriorated on the third day of admission with respiratory failure, shock, arrythmias, fever, and increased d-dimer. After multiple attempts stabilization with ventilatory, defibrillator, and medical support, the patient deceased at the 6th day of admission. Discussion Cancer patients with COVID-19 have been reported to have relatively higher mortality rate when compared to the non-infected patients. Moreover, malignancies were also reported to increase the risk of developing more severe disease in children. Although rare, patients may develop a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is a state of hyperinflammatory and severe illness temporally associated with COVID-19 infection. No observations have been evident in indicating the influence of COVID-19 on the neurological state of the patient, but we believe that it may be reasonable to not yet exclude the possibility of it of exacerbating the CNS malignancy our patient suffered from. Conclusion Children with intracranial brain tumor infected by SARS-CoV-2 may fall into a worse condition with poor prognosis, exacerbated by severe acute respiratory distress and the need for breathing support in intensive care unit. Multidisciplinary tumor boards have to convene regularly, including through call-conferences and telemedicine platforms. Patient with history of resection of tumor germinoma Covid status of the patient Mortality of the patient caused by covid status Complications of the patient that cannot over come
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustaqim Apriyansa Rahmadhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - M Arifin Parenrengi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Wihasto Suryaningtyas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Soetomo Academic General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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Sniderman ER, Graetz DE, Agulnik A, Ranadive R, Vedaraju Y, Chen Y, Devidas M, Chantada GL, Hessissen L, Dalvi R, Pritchard‐Jones K, Rodriguez‐Galindo C, Moreira DC, Bolous NS, Haidar CE, Bihannic L, Sa da Bandeira D, Wang JX, Li D, Graca F, Vasilyeva A, Lesmana H. Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on pediatric oncology providers globally: A mixed‐methods study. Cancer 2022; 128:1493-1502. [PMID: 35067925 PMCID: PMC9015299 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) disrupted pediatric oncology care globally, increasing demands on health care providers (HCPs) who adapted to continue care. This study sought to characterize the pandemic's impact on pediatric oncology HCPs worldwide. Methods A 60‐item survey focused on changes to clinical care, resources, and effects on clinicians. A diverse subgroup of institutions was purposefully selected for focus groups that explored teamwork, communication, and changes to care delivery. Results The survey included 311 responses from 213 institutions representing 79 countries. Sixteen institutions participated in 19 multidisciplinary focus groups in 8 languages. Decreased clinical staff availability was cited by 51% of institutions as a major impact. Staffing modifications included decreased provider availability (66% of institutions), roles or responsibility changes, and transfer outside the specialty. Physical effects included frequent COVID‐19 illness; 8% of respondents reported HCP deaths. Fifty percent of providers did not have the necessary personal protective equipment. HCPs also experienced psychological distress and financial concerns. Findings indicated more frequent impact on nurses than other providers. Impacts were described across all hospital resource levels, with staffing modifications more frequent in countries with higher COVID‐19 incidence (P < .001) and mortality rate (P = .004). Focus groups revealed negative impacts were stabilized by increased teamwork, communication, contributions outside usual roles, policies aimed at optimizing safety, and feeling that they were contributing. Conclusions COVID‐19 had a profound impact on the pediatric oncology workforce, creating challenging modifications to staffing and resulting in physical, psychological, and financial distress. Despite these challenges, HCPs caring for children with cancer came together to continue to provide high‐quality care. This mixed‐methods study reveals the impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had on pediatric oncology providers globally, and it highlights the importance of implementing strategies to protect the health care workforce during challenging situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Sniderman
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Dylan E. Graetz
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Asya Agulnik
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Radhikesh Ranadive
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Yuvanesh Vedaraju
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Yichen Chen
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Meenakshi Devidas
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
| | - Guillermo L. Chantada
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fundacion Perez Scremini‐Hospital Pereira Rossell Montevideo Uruguay
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Hospital Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona Spain
| | - Laila Hessissen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Mohammed V University Rabat Morocco
| | - Rashmi Dalvi
- Department of Pediatrics Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences Bombay India
| | - Kathy Pritchard‐Jones
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health University College London London England
| | | | - Daniel C. Moreira
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis Tennessee
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49
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Kebudi R, Chantada G, Kurucu N, Tuğcu D, Mukkada S, C Moreira D. COVID-19: Consequences for Children With Cancer in Turkey and Globally. Turk Arch Pediatr 2022; 56:295-299. [PMID: 35005722 PMCID: PMC8655955 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2021.21134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rejin Kebudi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Guillermo Chantada
- Hemato-oncology Service, Hospital Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Hemato-oncology Service, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Hemato-oncology Service, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nilgün Kurucu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Institute of Cancer, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Deniz Tuğcu
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Istanbul University School of Medicine,Istanbul,Turkey
| | - Sheena Mukkada
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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Xiao H, Liu F, He Y, Dai X, Liu Z, Jian W, Unger JM. Unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric cancer care: a population-based cohort study in China. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 19:100347. [PMID: 35005670 PMCID: PMC8718443 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread adverse collateral effects on health care delivery for non-COVID-19 disease conditions. Paediatric oncology care is reliant on prompt testing and diagnosis and on timely and coordinated multimodal treatment, all of which have been impacted by the pandemic. This study aimed to quantify the initial and enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization of paediatric cancer care and to examine whether the pandemic differentially impacted specific demographic groups. Method We performed an interrupted time series analysis using negative binomial regression to estimate the change in the monthly admissions for paediatric cancer patients (Age 0-17) associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown policies. We obtained data from deidentified individual electronic medical records of paediatric cancer inpatients admitted between January 1, 2015 and May 31, 2021 to a tertiary hospital that provides general and specialized healthcare services to an estimated population of 8.4 million in Jining China. Relative risk (RR) estimates representing monthly admissions compared with expected admissions had the pandemic not occurred were derived. The number of inpatient admissions lost due to the pandemic were estimated. Findings The overall denominator for the paediatric population was 1 858 209 individuals in January 2015, which increased to 2 043 803 by May 2021. In total, there were 4 901 admissions for paediatric cancer during the study period, including 1 479 (30%) since February 2020 when the lockdown was implemented. A 33% reduction (95% CI: -43% to -22%) in admissions was observed in February 2020, with the largest relative reduction (-48%, 95% CI: -64% to -24%) among first-time admissions and admissions for patients from rural districts (-46%, 95% CI: -55% to -36%). Admissions quickly rebounded in March 2020 when many government-imposed mobility restrictions were lifted, and continued to resume gradually over time since April 2020, leading to a full recovery as of November 2020. However, the recovery for first-time admissions, and among female patients, younger patients (<5 years) and patients from rural districts was slower over time and incomplete (first-time admissions and rural patients) as of January 2021. Interpretation The COVID-19 pandemic has had substantial impact on the timely utilization of paediatric oncology services in China, particularly in the early stage of the first wave. Importantly, some population groups were disproportionately affected and the recovery of admissions among those subgroups has been slow and incomplete, warranting targeted approaches to address potentially exacerbated gender and socio-economic inequalities in access to healthcare resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xiao
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,The SWOG Cancer Research Network Statistics and Data Management Center
| | - Fang Liu
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Xiaochen Dai
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, WA.,Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Zhenhui Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Weiyan Jian
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Joseph M Unger
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,The SWOG Cancer Research Network Statistics and Data Management Center
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