Coping Mechanisms and Their Associations with Depression and Anxiety Among Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the associations between anxiety, depression, and coping in healthcare workers (HCWs) during COVID-19. METHODS: A survey used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 to assess anxiety, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 to assess depression, and the Brief COPE scale to evaluate coping mechanisms. RESULTS: Of the 1,172 participants who provided data, 24.7% screened positive for anxiety and 15.7% for depression. Logistic regression indicated that avoidance coping (OR = 3.92 (95% CI: 2.91-5.29), p < .001) and substance use coping (OR = 1.39 (95% CI: 1.00-1.90), p = .049) were associated with higher odds of depression. Avoidance coping (OR = 2.81 (95% CI: 2.15-3.67), p < .001), and social support coping (OR = 1.59 (95% CI: 1.22-2.08), p = .001) were associated with higher odds of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions are needed to improve HCWs' coping and wellbeing.

Suicidal ideation among non-physician hospital system staff: Prevalence and workplace correlates.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that healthcare workers are at greater risk for suicide than other occupations, but most published studies focus on physicians. This study examines the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) and associated occupational factors among a broad group of non-physician healthcare staff. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was sent to a random sample of 30 % of non-physician healthcare staff at a large urban healthcare system between September and November 2022. Weighted multivariable binary logistic regressions were conducted to determine the workplace and mental health factors associated with SI. RESULTS: The 1084 respondents included nurses, administrative staff, research staff, medical assistants, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other roles. Of the sample, 8.8 % endorsed having SI over the prior two weeks. Results of the regression indicated that, after adjusting for demographic factors, greater odds of SI were associated with physical violence experienced from a patient or visitor (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-4.37), lower perceived leadership support (OR = 0.95, 95 % CI = 0.92-0.98), and positive screening for depression (OR = 4.66, 95 % CI = 2.45-8.86). Exploratory analysis suggests that depression may be a mediating factor between workplace stressors and SI. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the response rate, the use of a single item to assess SI, and the cross-sectional design. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that workplace violence and leadership support are important occupational factors associated with SI among healthcare workers. Reducing and mitigating workplace violence, enhancing leadership support, and improving access to mental health care should be considered targets for interventions to decrease suicide risk in this population.

Determinants of Staff Intent to Leave Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives. To identify potential drivers of health care worker attrition. Methods. We conducted a survey of 1083 nonphysician health care workers in a large urban health system in New York City from September to October 2022. Results. The results of a multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that higher odds of intending to leave health care were significantly associated with male gender, registered nurse profession, burnout, self-perceived mental health service need, and verbal abuse from patients or visitors, whereas lower odds were seen among those reporting greater emotional well-being and a better workplace culture. A relative importance analysis indicated that burnout was the strongest correlate of intention to leave (22.5% relative variance explained [RVE]), followed by subjective emotional well-being (16.7% RVE), being a registered nurse (12.3% RVE), poorer perceived workplace culture (9.5% RVE), and male gender (5.9% RVE). Conclusions. Overall, our findings suggest the need for well-coordinated interventions that address both individual- and system-level factors in an effort to improve retention. Public Health Implications. Our results indicate a need for interventions targeting workplace culture, staff burnout, and mental health service provision. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S2):S200-S203. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307574).

Link between circadian rhythm and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urologic disease in aging males, affecting 50% of men over 50 and up to 80% of men over 80 years old. Its negative impact on health-related quality of life implores further investigation into its risk factors and strategies for effective management. Although the exact molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological onset of BPH are poorly defined, the current hypothesized contributors to BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) include aging, inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and hormonal changes. These processes are indirectly influenced by circadian rhythm disruption. In this article, we review the recent evidence on the potential association of light changes/circadian rhythm disruption and the onset of BPH and impact on treatment. METHODS: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify supporting evidence. The articles referenced ranged from 1975 to 2023. RESULTS: A clear relationship between BPH/LUTS and circadian rhythm disruption is yet to be established. However, common mediators influence both diseases, including proinflammatory states, metabolic syndrome, and hormonal regulation that can be asserted to circadian disruption. Some studies have identified a possible relationship between general LUTS and sleep disturbance, but little research has been done on the medical management of these diseases and how circadian rhythm disruption further affects treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence to implicate a relationship between BPH/LUTS and circadian rhythm disruptions. However, there is scarce literature on potential specific link in medical management of the disease and treatment outcomes with circadian rhythm disruption. Further study is warranted to provide BPH patients with insights into circadian rhythm directed appropriate interventions.

Depression and anxiety among patients treated for bladder cancer: examining clinical, demographic, and psychosocial predictors.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The significant impact of bladder cancer and treatment on patient health related quality of life (HRQoL) and emotional wellbeing has been documented. Increasing evidence from cancer research emphasizes the importance of examining patients supportive care needs and received social support as factors that could influence their emotional adjustment. The purpose of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical predictors of depression and anxiety among bladder cancer patients and its associations with patient reported supportive care needs and perceived availability of social support. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the study questions. Bladder cancer patients were recruited from the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) to complete a questionnaire that included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), bladder cancer patient need survey (BCNAS-32), and the social provisions scale (SPS). The inclusion criteria restricted our sample to include bladder cancer patients who were English speakers, aged 18-85 years, and were able and willing to provide informed consent. Patients who had metastatic disease, cancer recurrence, or other primary cancers at the time of assessment were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Participants included 159 bladder cancer patients. The mean age was 62±9.4 years and 51% were male. Almost two-thirds (62%) of patients reported a diagnosis of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), 25% patient reported clinically significant levels of anxiety, 17% reported clinically significant levels of depression, and 13% and 17% reported abnormal borderline abnormal levels for anxiety and depression, respectively. Univariate regression analyses revealed significant associations between HADS total score, HADS depression and anxiety subscales, patient age, physical functioning/daily living needs, sexuality needs, and perceived social support with higher total scores, anxiety, and depression scores associated with younger age, higher unmet needs, and lower levels of social support. Multivariate regression analyses, showed similar findings confirming the associations depicted by the univariate regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cancer patients experience significant levels of depression and anxiety and these levels are associated with patient age, supportive care unmet needs and lack of social support. Patient focused interventions could be tailored to address these issues with the goal to improve patient HRQoL and emotional adjustment.

Impact of exercise on continence in prostate cancer patients post robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence is one of the most common long term side effects after robotic prostatectomy (RALP), and significantly impacts patient quality of life. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) has been a standard part of the urologist's armamentarium for maximizing continence outcomes post-op. Recently, aerobic and resistance exercises have been described as improving functional outcomes post RALP. We performed a systematic review to determine the influence of exercise, in the form of PFMT, aerobic exercise, and resistance training, on incontinence post-RALP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, with database searches performed on January 14, 2022 and again on August 10, 2022 to account for any new publications. The search identified 1675 papers. Of the 1675 papers, 1007 were found to be duplicates, leaving 668 total studies for screening. Of the 668 papers, nine met all inclusion criteria. Of the nine, four studies presented data from patients who had undergone RALP and were included in the final descriptive systematic review. RESULTS: Sayilan et al. and Milios et al. showed postoperative PFMT and physical activity resulted in significantly improved continence outcomes at 1 and 6 months and 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Heydenreich et al. combined PFMT with an oscillating rod therapy, which was found to significantly improve both postoperative urinary continence and health related quality of life compared to PFMT and relaxation techniques alone. On the contrary, Goode et al. examined delivery of exercise information and demonstrated no difference in continence outcomes between focused telehealth PFMT program and generic prostate cancer education. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle training, with or without adjunct therapies, results in improved continence outcomes post RALP. Supervised training programs may or may not accelerate this finding. There is no recent literature to support or refute the benefit of aerobic exercise or resistance training on reducing post-prostatectomy incontinence after RALP.

New York City's Community-Based Organizations and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Analysis of Local Organizations' Response Efforts and Their Role During Public Health Crises.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are on the frontlines offering resources and support to residents during times of distress. Through a community-academic partnership, an interdisciplinary team developed, collected, and analyzed 91 surveys from social services providers across New York City assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their organizations' operations. The majority (93%) of these organizations stayed open during the pandemic but had to shift the services they offered to meet new needs. Although most (89%) shared they were not offering on-site testing for COVID-19, 53% expressed interest in becoming a test site, citing needs such as funding, test kits, and skills-building for staff. More than half of the respondents were eager to get involved in public health efforts in other ways, such as joining local research advisory boards. Despite increasing the services they provided, CBOs saw decreases in staffing and volunteers. Furthermore, although nearly half (48%) received governmental aid, many faced financial pressures and several had to close offices during the pandemic. As trusted resources, CBOs can help meet public health needs if provided with proper support and resources. It is critical that those working in prevention and relief are considerate about how and when they leverage effective partnerships between public health organizations and CBOs, offering organizations the resources they need to be effective in this charge, given the role they can have in promoting health equity.

Undue burden: Black faculty, COVID-19, and the racial justice movement.

A crucial reckoning was initiated when the COVID-19 pandemic began to expose and intensify long-standing racial/ethnic health inequities, all while various sectors of society pursued racial justice reform. As a result, there has been a contextual shift towards broader recognition of systemic racism, and not race, as the shared foundational driver of both societal maladies. This confluence of issues is of particular relevance to Black populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic and racial injustice. In response, institutions have initiated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts as a way forward. This article considers how the dual pandemic climate of COVID-19-related health inequities and the racial justice movement could exacerbate the "time and effort tax" on Black faculty to engage in DEI efforts in academia and biomedicine. We discuss the impact of this "tax" on career advancement and well-being, and introduce an operational framework for considering the interconnected influence of systemic racism, the dual pandemics, and DEI work on the experience of Black faculty. If not meaningfully addressed, the "time and effort tax" could contribute to Black and other underrepresented minority faculty leaving academia and biomedicine - consequently, the very diversity, equity, and inclusion work meant to increase representation could decrease it.

Circadian Rhythm Disruption as a Contributor to Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer.

In the United States, African American (AA) men have a 2.4 times higher mortality rate due to prostate cancer than White men. The multifactorial causes of the racial disparities in prostate cancer involve various social determinants of health, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare. However, emerging evidence also suggests that circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) contributes to prostate cancer, and AA men may be more susceptible to developing CRDs. Circadian rhythms play a significant role in metabolism, hormone secretion, and sleep/wake cycles. Disruption in these circadian rhythms can be caused by airplane travel/jetlag, night shift work, exposure to light, and neighborhood noise levels, which can contribute to sleep disorders and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The drivers of the racial disparities in CRD include night shift work, racial discrimination, elevated stress, and residing in poor neighborhoods characterized by high noise pollution. Given the increased vulnerability of AA men to CRDs, and the role that CRDs play in prostate cancer, elucidating the clock-related prostate cancer pathways and their behavior and environmental covariates may be critical to better understanding and reducing the racial disparities in prostate cancer.

Efficacy of pre and rehabilitation in radical cystectomy on health related quality of life and physical function: A systematic review.

Objective: The efficacy of prehabilitation or rehabilitation interventions on radical cystectomy (RC) patient reported outcomes (PROs), and patient centered outcome has not yet been thoroughly explored in prior reviews, therefore the aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of a single or multi-modal prehabilitation or/and postoperative rehabilitation interventions compared to standard treatment on postoperative complications after RC. Methods: We performed a three-step search strategy in PubMed, Cinahl, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. We used Covidence for the screening of articles, risk of bias assessment, and data-extraction. GRADE was used to assess the risk of bias in outcomes across studies. Where meta-analysis was possible, we used the random effect method due to substantial heterogeneity. The remaining outcomes were summarized narratively. Results: We identified fourteen studies addressing one of the outcomes. None of the studies provided evidence to support that prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation interventions can improve global health related quality of life (HRQoL) in RC surgery or can reduce postoperative complications significantly. However, preoperative and postoperative education in stoma care can significantly improve self-efficacy and we found significant added benefits of sexual counseling to intracavernous injections compared to injection therapy alone. Likewise, an intensive smoking and alcohol cessation intervention demonstrated a significant effect on quit rates. Physical exercise is feasible and improves physical functioning although it does not reduce the postoperative complications. Conclusions: Currently, no evidence of efficacy of prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation interventions to improve the overall HRQoL or postoperative complications after RC exists. We found evidence that education in stoma care improved self-efficacy significantly. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to generate high-quality evidence in this field.

Impact of Circadian Rhythms on the Development and Clinical Management of Genitourinary Cancers.

The circadian system is an innate clock mechanism that governs biological processes on a near 24-hour cycle. Circadian rhythm disruption (i.e., misalignment of circadian rhythms), which results from the lack of synchrony between the master circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and the environment (i.e., exposure to day light) or the master clock and the peripheral clocks, has been associated with increased risk of and unfavorable cancer outcomes. Growing evidence supports the link between circadian disruption and increased prevalence and mortality of genitourinary cancers (GU) including prostate, bladder, and renal cancer. The circadian system also plays an essential role on the timely implementation of chronopharmacological treatments, such as melatonin and chronotherapy, to reduce tumor progression, improve therapeutic response and reduce negative therapy side effects. The potential benefits of the manipulating circadian rhythms in the clinical setting of GU cancer detection and treatment remain to be exploited. In this review, we discuss the current evidence on the influence of circadian rhythms on (disease) cancer development and hope to elucidate the unmet clinical need of defining the extensive involvement of the circadian system in predicting risk for GU cancer development and alleviating the burden of implementing anti-cancer therapies.

Associations of self-efficacy, social support and coping strategies with health-related quality of life after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Investigating associations between self-efficacy, social support and quality of life (HRQoL) and mediating effects of coping among bladder cancer (BC) patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2014 with 99 BC patients. An online survey assessed patient characteristics, HRQoL, coping strategies, self-efficacy and social support. A stepwise multiple linear regression model was used. RESULTS: Self-efficacy and social support were significantly associated with HRQoL. Complete mediation effects of adaptive/maladaptive coping strategies emerged for the associations between self-efficacy and social support with functional well-being (B = 0.247, 95% CI 0.119-0.374, p < 0.001; B = -0.414, 95% CI -0.526 to -0.302, p < 0.001) and total Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bladder (FACT-BI) (B = 0.779, 95% CI 0.351-1.207, p < 0.001; B = -1.969, 95% CI -2.344 to -1.594, p < 0.001). Maladaptive coping mediated the associations of self-efficacy and social support with physical well-being (B = -0.667, 95% CI -0.752 to -0.516, p < 0.001) and disease-specific symptoms (B = -0.413, 95% CI -0.521 to -0.304, p < 0.001). A partial mediation effect of adaptive coping was found for the association between self-efficacy and social well-being (B = 0.145, 95% CI 0.016-0.273, p < 0.05). Social support was significantly associated with emotional (B = 0.067, 95% CI 0.027-0.108, p < 0.001) and social well-being (B = 0.200, 95% CI 0.146-0.255, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Interventions should tackle self-efficacy, social support and coping strategies to improve BC patients' HRQoL.

Current strategies to improve erectile function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy - preoperative scenario.

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a common procedure for localized and locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Despite advances in the technique with the introduction of robotic surgery, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a major drawback. Therefore, a personalized evaluation that considers the patient's expectations and cultural background, baseline erectile function (EF), health status, and tumoral extension is important to optimize outcomes. Since EF has a tremendous impact on the quality of life of the patient and the intimate partner, it is timely to review multidisciplinary approaches to be implemented in the preoperative setting. Here we propose various strategies divided into two main categories, namely, comprehensive preoperative planning and prehabilitation (Figure 1.).

Current strategies to improve erectile function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy - postoperative scenario.

In order to optimize functional outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP), early rehabilitation programs should be stablished in the clinical practice. A multidisciplinary approach to assess the patient's mental, physical and social well-being are as important as the implementation of pharmacological and mechanical interventions. In current article of the seminar, we focus on strategies to improve erectile function (EF) after surgery. These strategies have been grouped into 4 main categories: pharmacologic and mechanical interventions, psychosocial interventions, hormonal assessment and a final section dedicated to strategies under research.

Current strategies to improve erectile function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy-intraoperative scenario.

Results after radical prostatectomy (RP) are generally judged by complete removal of the cancer, return of urinary control, and the ability to have intercourse. Given the complexity of the anatomy of the prostate and its relationship to the surrounding nerves, muscles, and fascia, RP is considered a challenging and technically demanding surgery. Here we propose multiple intraoperative strategies to optimize oncological and functional outcomes.

Supportive care needs and utilization of bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Investigating supportive care (SC) needs and utilization/willingness to use SC services from diagnosis to one year after radical cystectomy in bladder cancer (BC) patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted in 90 BC patients at Ghent/Leuven University Hospitals between April 2017 and December 2020. The Supportive Care Needs Survey-short form (SCNS-SF34) was used before radical cystectomy, one, three, six and 12 months after radical cystectomy. Additional questions assessed utilization/willingness to use SC services. Linear mixed models were performed. RESULTS: The majority of BC patients report at least one moderate or high SC need at diagnosis (82%), month 1 (84%), month 3 (86%), month 6 (64%), and month 12 (60%). Significant decreases over time were seen for all domains (p < 0.001), except for sexuality (p = 0.275). From baseline to month 1, physical needs first significantly increased (p = 0.001) after which they decreased. Psychological (e.g. fears about the future) and informational (e.g. information on how to get better) needs were most common at baseline whereas physical (e.g. lack of energy) and informational needs were more common in the early postoperative phases. The majority of patients (ranging from 81% (month 1) to 91% (month 12)) did not make use of SC services and the majority of the patients (ranging from 81% (month 1) to 88% (month 12)) did not wish to talk about their problems to someone. Those willing to talk to someone preferred their physician. CONCLUSIONS: A clear gap exists between the large proportion of SC needs experienced by BC patients undergoing radical cystectomy and the low use of SC services.

Impact of diverticular disease on prostate cancer risk among hypertensive men.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogenous disease with multiple etiological factors playing a role in its development. Recently, chronic and systemic inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease were identified as key risk factors influencing its development. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between diverticular disease (DD) (local and acute inflammation) and PCa. METHODS: Hypertensive patients with DD and hypertensive controls were identified between 1995 and 2010 from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. Cohorts were queried for PCa incidence through 2015. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for determining independent predictors of PCa diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 51,353 patients with DD and 111,541 controls were identified. In all, 6.26% of DD developed PCa, and 3.71% of controls developed PCa (p < 0.01). DD was a significant risk factor for PCa (OR: 1.27 CI: 1.19-1.34, p < 0.01). On subgroup analysis, the patients diagnosed with DD <50 years old had an OR of 3.39 for PCa (CI: 2.52-4.56, p < 0.01), age 50-59 had an OR of 2.12 (CI: 1.86-2.15, p < 0.01), and age 60-69 had an OR of 1.20 (CI: 1.10-1.31, p < 0.01). Finally, age and race stratification showed that white patients <50 had an OR of 2.56 (CI: 1.75-3.76, p < 0.01), while black patients <50 had an OR of 3.98 (CI: 2.61-6.07, p < 0.01). The trend in differing odds between these populations was the same for age groups 50-59 and 60-69. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows that DD is associated with diagnosis of PCa in hypertensive men. Importantly, the earlier the diagnosis of DD, the higher the odds for development of PCa, particularly in black men.

Supportive Roles of the Health Care Team Throughout the Illness Trajectory of Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Patients' Perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: To explore patient perspectives of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) on how the health care team and their social network can support them during their cancer trajectory. DATA SOURCES: Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with MIBC survivors who underwent radical cystectomies at Ghent University Hospital. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with an iterative content analysis approach. CONCLUSION: Information to support people affected by bladder cancer (BC) in several aspects of their disease trajectory (eg, shared decision-making and self-management of their urinary diversion) was most important throughout the interviews (although type and source of required information varied). The clinical nurse specialist was important for informational and emotional support because receiving sufficient information might help patients reduce emotional stress. People affected by BC are still reluctant to consult a psychologist, and several barriers were indicated for this. Also physical needs in the early postoperative phase could be reduced with appropriate information. Communication skills of clinicians in the hospital and knowledge of general practitioners about the important aspects of BC care are also important aspects that should be further optimized. Furthermore, peer support groups and family members can offer important support throughout the BC pathway. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study provides an overview of how people affected by BC want to be supported by their health care team and their social network. This overview can serve as a basis to develop educational interventions for both patients and health care professionals to guide restructuring of BC pathways and can also be used to develop future intervention studies to improve BC outcomes.

The Evolving Clinical Management of Genitourinary Cancers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), a disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has become an unprecedented global health emergency, with fatal outcomes among adults of all ages throughout the world. There is a high incidence of infection and mortality among cancer patients with evidence to support that patients diagnosed with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 have an increased likelihood of a poor outcome. Clinically relevant changes imposed as a result of the pandemic, are either primary, due to changes in timing or therapeutic modality; or secondary, due to altered cooperative effects on disease progression or therapeutic outcomes. However, studies on the clinical management of patients with genitourinary cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic are limited and do little to differentiate primary or secondary impacts of COVID-19. Here, we provide a review of the epidemiology and biological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in GU cancer patients as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and management of these patients, and the use and development of novel and innovative diagnostic tests, therapies, and technology. This article also discusses the biomedical advances to control the virus and evolving challenges in the management of prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, and penile cancers at all stages of the patient journey during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 in patients with and without cancer: Examining differences in patient characteristics and outcomes.

This study examines differences between patients with and without cancer in patient demographic and clinical characteristics and COVID-19 mortality and discusses the implications of these differences in relation to existing cancer disparities and COVID-19 vulnerabilities. Data was collected as a part of a retrospective study on a cohort of COVID-19 positive patients across Mount Sinai Health System from March 28, 2020 to April 26, 2020. Descriptive, comparative, and regression analyses were applied to examine differences between patients with and without cancer in demographic and clinical characteristics and COVID-19 mortality and whether cancer status predicts COVID-19 mortality controlling for these covariates using SAS 9.4. Results showed that, of 4641 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, 5.1% (N=236) had cancer. The median age of the total sample was 58 years (Q1-Q3: 41-71); 55.3% were male, 19.2% were current/former smokers, 6.1% were obese. The most commonly reported comorbidities were hypertension (22.6%) and diabetes (16.0%). Overall, the COVID-19 mortality rate was 8.3%. Examining differences between COVID-19 patients with and without cancer revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in COVID-19 mortality, hospitalization rates, age, gender, race, smoking status, obesity, and comorbidity indicators (e.g., diabetes) with cancer patients more likely to be older, male, black, obese, smokers, and with existing comorbidities. Controlling for these clinical, demographic, and behavioral characteristics, results of logistic regression analyses showed significant effects of older age and male gender on COVID-19 mortality (p<0.05). While cancer patients with COVID-19 were more likely to experience worse COVID-19 outcomes, these associations might be related to common cancer and COVID-19 vulnerability factors such as older age and gender. The coexistence of these vulnerability age and gender factors in both cancer and COVID-19 populations emphasizes the need for better understanding of their implications for cancer and COVID-19 disparities, both diseases prevention efforts, policies, and clinical management.