1584P Prevalence and risk factors of COVID-19 in cancer patients: A prospective monocentric study

Background: The COVID-19 is a worldwide health threat because of its severity and rapid spread. Cancer patients have been reported to be at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. We aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in Tunisian cancer patients and to identify its risk factors. Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the department of Medical Oncology in Sfax from November 2020 to February 2021. We analyzed data of 226 patients treated for solid cancer. We used the modified Milano Policlinico ONCOVID Score to quantify the risk of infection in patients with cancer. We defined 3 groups of risk (score 6: high risk). Results: Patients aged under 70 years represented 85%. The sex-ratio was 0.5. The most common primary tumors were breast cancer (37%), colorectal (22%), ovarian (7.5%) and lung cancer (5.5%). Metastatic disease was observed in 58%. 95% had recently received anticancer treatment (chemotherapy n=171), (hormonotherapy /targeted therapy n=44). Primary lung cancer or pulmonary metastases were founded in 16%. 22% of patients had a history of thoracic radiotherapy. Among 226 cancer patients, 19 patients (8.4%) had COVID19 disease. Fifteen patients (79%) presented with symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, cough, myalgia and ageusia/anosmia. A severe form of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization was seen in 4 cases (21%). 47 % had an intermediate and high risk of infection. COVID-19 infection was correlated with intermediate or high risk (p=0.018, χ2=18.4, ddl=8), age <70 years (p=0.035, χ2=4.437, ddl=1) and chemotherapy (p=0.032, χ2=4.613, ddl=1). Severe cases were correlated with stage IV (p=0.041, χ2=4.156, ddl=1), chemotherapy (p=0.004, χ2=7.367, ddl=1) and intermediate or high risk (p=0.04, χ2=3.754, ddl=1). Conclusions: The prevalence of COVID-19 infection among cancer patients was higher than that described in the literature (0.79%) but with a lower rate of severe forms. The occurrence of COVID-19 was correlated with intermediate or high risk, age<70 years and treatment with chemotherapy which highlights the importance of risk scores. Legal entity responsible for the study: Habib Bourguiba University Hospital committee. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.