Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms; SARS-CoV-2; Essential thrombocytemiaNeoplàsies mieloproliferatives cròniques filadèlfia negatives; SARS-CoV-2; Trombocitèmia essencialNeoplasias mieloproliferativas crónicas filadelfia negativas; SARS-CoV-2; Trombocitemia esencialBackground:
Patients with Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) typically incur high rates of infections and both drugs and comorbidities may modulate infection risk.
Objectives:
The present study aims to assess the effect of immunosuppressive agents on clinical outcomes of MPN patients affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Design:
This is an observational study.
Methods:
We specifically searched and analyzed MPN patients collected by EPICOVIDEHA online registry, which includes individuals with hematological malignancies diagnosed with COVID-19 since February 2020.
Results:
Overall, 398 patients with MPN were observed for a median of 76 days [interquartile range (IQR): 19–197] after detection of SARS-CoV2 infection. Median age was 69 years (IQR: 58–77) and 183 individuals (46%) had myelofibrosis (MF). Overall, 121 patients (30%) of the whole cohort received immunosuppressive therapies including steroids, immunomodulatory drugs, or JAK inhibitors. Hospitalization and consecutive admission to intensive care unit was required in 216 (54%) and 53 patients (13%), respectively. Risk factors for hospital admission were identified by multivariable logistic regression and include exposure to immunosuppressive therapies [odds ratio (OR): 2.186; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.357–3.519], age ⩾70 years, and comorbidities. The fatality rate was 22% overall and the risk of death was independently increased by age ⩾70 years [hazard ratio (HR): 2.191; 95% CI: 1.363–3.521], previous comorbidities, and exposure to immunosuppressive therapies before the infection (HR: 2.143; 95% CI: 1.363–3.521).
Conclusion:
COVID-19 infection led to a particularly dismal outcome in MPN patients receiving immunosuppressive agents or reporting multiple comorbidities. Therefore, specific preventive strategies need to be tailored for such individuals.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: EPICOVIDEHA has received funds from Optics COMMIT (COVID-19 Unmet Medical Needs and Associated Research Extension) COVID-19 RFP program by GILEAD Science, United States (Project 2020-8223)
