COVID-19 testing trends: pre-radiation and throughout cancer care

IF 0.3 Q4 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice Pub Date : 2022-03-03 DOI:10.1017/S1460396922000012

I. Messing, Miriam Felps, S. Goyal, Y. Rao, Katherine Schreiner, D. Scully, M. Ojong-Ntui, M. Huynh-Le

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Patients presenting for radiation therapy (RT) at a single institution were analysed regarding treatment delays and disparities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted at an urban multidisciplinary cancer centre. In April 2020, the institution’s radiation oncology department implemented universal COVID-19 screening protocols prior to RT initiation. COVID-19 testing information on cancer patients planned for RT from 04/2020 to 01/2021 was reviewed. Trends of other lifetime COVID-19 testing and overall care delays were also studied. Results: Two hundred and fifty-four consecutive cancer patients received RT. Median age was 63 years (range 24–94) and 57·9% (n = 147) were Black. Most (n = 107, 42·1%) patients were insured through Medicare. 42·9% (n = 109) presented with stage IV disease. One (0·4%) asymptomatic patient tested positive for COVID-19 pre-RT. The cohort received 975 lifetime COVID-19 tests (median 3 per patient, range 1–18) resulting in 29 positive test results across 21 patients. Sixteen patients had RT delays. Identifying as Hispanic/Latino was associated with testing positive for COVID-19 (p = 0·015) and RT delay (p = 0·029). Conclusion: Most patients with cancer planned for RT tested negative for COVID-19 and proceeded to RT without delay. However, increased testing burden, delays in diagnostic workup and testing positive for COVID-19 may intensify disparities affecting this urban patient population.

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新冠肺炎检测趋势：辐射前和整个癌症护理

摘要简介：在2019冠状病毒病（新冠肺炎）大流行期间，对在单一机构接受放射治疗（RT）的患者的治疗延迟和差异进行了分析。方法：研究在城市癌症多学科中心进行。2020年4月，该机构的放射肿瘤科在RT启动前实施了通用的新冠肺炎筛查方案。审查了计划于2020年4月至2021年1月进行RT的癌症患者的新冠肺炎检测信息。还研究了其他终身新冠肺炎检测和整体护理延迟的趋势。结果：254名连续的癌症患者接受RT。中位年龄为63岁（24-94岁），57.9%（n=147）为黑人。大多数（n=107，42.1%）患者通过医疗保险获得保险。42.9%（n=109）表现为IV期疾病。一名（0.4%）无症状患者RT前新冠肺炎检测呈阳性。该队列接受了975次终生新冠肺炎检测（每位患者平均3次，范围1-18），结果21名患者的29次检测结果呈阳性。16名患者出现RT延迟。识别为西班牙裔/拉丁裔与新冠肺炎检测呈阳性（p=0.015）和RT延迟（p=0.29）相关。结论：大多数计划RT的癌症患者新冠肺炎检测呈阴性，并立即进行RT。然而，检测负担的增加、诊断工作的延误以及新冠肺炎检测呈阳性可能会加剧影响这一城市患者群体的差异。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

0.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice is a peer-reviewed journal covering all of the current modalities specific to clinical oncology and radiotherapy. The journal aims to publish research from a wide range of styles and encourage debate and the exchange of information and opinion from within the field of radiotherapy practice and clinical oncology. The journal also aims to encourage technical evaluations and case studies as well as equipment reviews that will be of interest to an international radiotherapy audience.