Life-prolonging treatment restrictions and outcomes in patients with cancer and COVID-19:an update from the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium

AIM OF THE STUDY: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted cancer care. In this study, clinical patient characteristics related to COVID-19 outcomes and advanced care planning, in terms of non-oncological treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-resuscitate codes), were studied in patients with cancer and COVID-19. METHODS: The Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium registry was launched in March 2020 in 45 hospitals in the Netherlands, primarily to identify risk factors of a severe COVID-19 outcome in patients with cancer. Here, an updated analysis of the registry was performed, and treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-intubate codes) were studied in relation to COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer. Oncological treatment restrictions were not taken into account. RESULTS: Between 27th March 2020 and 4th February 2021, 1360 patients with cancer and COVID-19 were registered. Follow-up data of 830 patients could be validated for this analysis. Overall, 230 of 830 (27.7%) patients died of COVID-19, and 60% of the remaining 600 patients with resolved COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital. Patients with haematological malignancies or lung cancer had a higher risk of a fatal outcome than other solid tumours. No correlation between anticancer therapies and the risk of a fatal COVID-19 outcome was found. In terms of end-of-life communication, 50% of all patients had restrictions regarding life-prolonging treatment (e.g. do-not-intubate codes). Most identified patients with treatment restrictions had risk factors associated with fatal COVID-19 outcome. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of a negative impact of anticancer therapies on COVID-19 outcomes. Timely end-of-life communication as part of advanced care planning could save patients from prolonged suffering and decrease burden in intensive care units. Early discussion of treatment restrictions should therefore be part of routine oncological care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dutch Oncology COVID-19 consortium:Outcome of COVID-19 in patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort study

Aim of the study: Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods: This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients' characteristics, cancer diagnosis and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. Results: Between March 27th and May 4th, 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years (p < 0.001), male gender (p = 0.035), prior or other malignancy (p = 0.045) and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy (p = 0.046) or lung cancer (p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). Conclusion: The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritising vaccination, when available, should also be considered

Contribution of multiple thrombophilic and transient risk factors in the development of cerebral venous thrombosis

introduction: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) have been associated with thrombophilic defects. However, in contrast to DVT or PE, CVT is a rare disease. We performed a study to identify differences in thrombotic risk profile, predisposing to CVT rather than DVT or PE, particularly the contribution of oral contraception and 11 thrombophilic defects. Materials and methods: A single center case-control study (63 CVT cases and 209 controls with DVT or PE) was performed. Results: Of CVT patients, 11 % had experienced prior DVT or PE, and none had recurrent CVT at 5 years follow-up. CVT was more frequently observed in females (79% versus 51%, P Conclusions: We conclude that a majority of CVT and DVT or PE patients show single or multiple thrombophilic defects. At presentation, oral contraceptive intake was observed more frequently in CVT patients. However, no differences were observed in thrombotic risk profile between both groups of comparable age. Hence, additional unknown risk factors should be considered to explain the different sites of thrombosis in these patients. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Prothrombin 20210A mutation - A mild risk factor for venous thromboembolism but not for arterial thrombotic disease and pregnancy-related complications in a family study

Background: The prothrombin 20210A mutation has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Its relationship with arterial disease and pregnancy-related complications is, however, still uncertain. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidences of first venous and arterial thrombotic events and pregnancy-related complications in relatives of patients with the mutation. Methods: After clinical classification, the presence of the mutation was determined in first-degree relatives of consecutive patients with the mutation and a history of VTE or premature atherosclerosis. Relatives with and without the mutation were compared. Results: Of all relatives, 204 (50%) were heterozygous, 5 were homozygous, and 198 had a normal genotype. The annual incidence of a first episode of VTE was 0.35% and 0.18% in carriers and noncarriers, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-4.1); the annual incidence of a first arterial thrombosis was 0.22% and 0.15% in carriers and noncarriers, respectively (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.8-6.3). The annual incidence of a first myocardial infarction was 0.14% (95% CI, 0.05%-0.23%) and 0.05% (0.01%-0.14%) in carriers and noncarriers, respectively (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.0-22.5; P = .06). In particular, homozygous carriers were at increased risk of VTE (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 1.3-27.2), whereas a history of VTE in the proband influenced the risk of VTE in the relatives. Women with the mutation did not experience significantly more pregnancy-related complications than their relatives with a normal genotype. Conclusions: The prothrombin mutation is a mild risk factor for VTE within families of carriers but does not seem to play an important role in arterial thrombotic disease, with the exception of myocardial infarction, or in pregnancy-related complication

Co-segregation of thrombophilic disorders in factor V Leiden carriers; the contributions of factor VIII, factor XI, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor and lipoprotein(a) to the absolute risk of venous thromboembolism

Background and Objectives. The clinical expression of factor V Leiden varies widely within and between families and only a minority of carriers will ever develop venous thromboembolism. Co-segregation of thrombophilic disorders is a possible explanation, Our aim was to assess the contributions of high levels of factor VIII:C, factor XI:C, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) to the risk of venous thromboembolism in factor V Leiden carriers. Design and Methods. Levels of the four proteins were measured, in addition to tests of deficiencies for antithrombin, protein C and protein S, and the prothrombin G20210A mutation, in 153 factor V Leiden carriers, derived from a family cohort study. The (adjusted) relative risk and absolute risk of venous thromboembolism for high levels of each protein were calculated. Results. Of carriers, 60% had one or more concomitant thrombophilic disorders. Crude odds ratios (95% Cl) of venous thromboembolism for high protein levels were: 3.2 (1.1-9.3) (factor VIII:C); 1.7 (0.6-4.9) (factor XI:C); 3.0 (1.1-8.2) (TAFI); and 1.9 (0.7-5.7) (Lp(a)). Adjusted for age, sex, other concomitant thrombophilic disorders and exogenous risk factors, the odds ratio for venous thromboembolism were 2.7 (0.8-8.7) for high factor VIII:C levels and 1.8 (0.6-5.3) for high TAFI levels. Annual incidences in subgroups of carriers were 0.35% (0.09-0.89), 0.44% (0.05-1.57) and 0.94% (0.35-2.05) for concomitance of high levels of factor VIII:C, TAR and both, respectively, as compared to 0.09% (0.00-0.48) in single factor V Leiden carriers and 1.11% (0.30-2.82) for other concomitant disorders. Interpretation and Conclusions. High levels of factor VIII:C and TAFI, in contrast with factor XI:C and Lp(a), are mild risk factors for venous thromboembolism, and substantially contribute to the risk of venous thromboembolism in factor V Leiden carriers. Our data support the hypothesis that the clinical expression of factor V Leiden depends on co-segregation of thrombophilic disorders. (C) 2002, Ferrata Storti Foundatio

Life-prolonging treatment restrictions and outcomes in patients with cancer and COVID-19: an update from the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium

AIM OF THE STUDY: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted cancer care. In this study, clinical patient characteristics related to COVID-19 outcomes and advanced care planning, in terms of non-oncological treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-resuscitate codes), were studied in patients with cancer and COVID-19. METHODS: The Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium registry was launched in March 2020 in 45 hospitals in the Netherlands, primarily to identify risk factors of a severe COVID-19 outcome in patients with cancer. Here, an updated analysis of the registry was performed, and treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-intubate codes) were studied in relation to COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer. Oncological treatment restrictions were not taken into account. RESULTS: Between 27th March 2020 and 4th February 2021, 1360 patients with cancer and COVID-19 were registered. Follow-up data of 830 patients could be validated for this analysis. Overall, 230 of 830 (27.7%) patients died of COVID-19, and 60% of the remaining 600 patients with resolved COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital. Patients with haematological malignancies or lung cancer had a higher risk of a fatal outcome than other solid tumours. No correlation between anticancer therapies and the risk of a fatal COVID-19 outcome was found. In terms of end-of-life communication, 50% of all patients had restrictions regarding life-prolonging treatment (e.g. do-not-intubate codes). Most identified patients with treatment restrictions had risk factors associated with fatal COVID-19 outcome. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of a negative impact of anticancer therapies on COVID-19 outcomes. Timely end-of-life communication as part of advanced care planning could save patients from prolonged suffering and decrease burden in intensive care units. Early discussion of treatment restrictions should therefore be part of routine oncological care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic

Life-prolonging treatment restrictions and outcomes in patients with cancer and COVID-19: an update from the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium

Aim of the study: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted cancer care. In this study, clinical patient characteristics related to COVID-19 outcomes and advanced care planning, in terms of non-oncological treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-resuscitate codes), were studied in patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods: The Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium registry was launched in March 2020 in 45 hospitals in the Netherlands, primarily to identify risk factors of a severe COVID-19 outcome in patients with cancer. Here, an updated analysis of the registry was performed, and treatment restrictions (e.g. do-not-intubate codes) were studied in relation to COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer. Oncological treatment restrictions were not taken into account. Results: Between 27th March 2020 and 4th February 2021, 1360 patients with cancer and COVID-19 were registered. Follow-up data of 830 patients could be validated for this analysis. Overall, 230 of 830 (27.7%) patients died of COVID-19, and 60% of the remaining 600 patients with resolved COVID-19 were admitted to the hospital. Patients with haematological malignancies or lung cancer had a higher risk of a fatal outcome than other solid tumours. No correlation between anticancer therapies and the risk of a fatal COVID-19 outcome was found. In terms of end-of-life communication, 50% of all patients had restrictions regarding life-prolonging treatment (e.g. do-not-intubate codes). Most identified patients with treatment restrictions had risk factors associated with fatal COVID-19 outcome. Conclusion: There was no evidence of a negative impact of anticancer therapies on COVID-19 outcomes. Timely end-of-life communication as part of advanced care planning could save patients from prolonged suffering and decrease burden in intensive care units. Early discussion of treatment restrictions should therefore be part of routine oncological care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic