Analysis of the treatment patterns and safety of early breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: An analysis of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the patterns of treatment and the safety for patients with early breast cancer (EBC). Methods: This was an observational real-world study. A total of 958 EBC patients who were admitted to two groups during the epidemic (Observation group: Q1 in 2020, n=422) and the similar time frame from last year (Control group: Q1 in 2019, n=536). The primary end point of the study was the overall safety of treatments, including the proportion of neutropenia, fever, infection and infection of COVID-19. The secondary end point is the treatment patterns, referring to different treatment methods and the proportion of different regimens. Results: Under the guidance of specific treatment strategies, the patient’s treatment patterns have changed significantly. Among them, the proportion of albumin paclitaxel in the observation group was significantly increased (55.8% vs. 13.0%, P<0.001) compared with the control group, and the proportion of docetaxel was significantly reduced (30.4% vs. 70.1%, P<0.001). The proportion of anthracycline drugs and vinorelbine decreased (both P<0.05). In the observation group, 22.5% of patients had neutropenia, which was significantly lower than the control group (22.5% vs. 50.6%, P<0.05), and the incidence of fever in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P=0.05). Conclusions: The patient's treatment patterns were significantly changed during COVID-19 pandemic, and optimized treatment strategy is suitable for breast cancer patients that can ensure the patient’s treatment needs and overall safety.
DOI: 10.21037/tbcr-20-29
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W3045477327