Key findings from the UKCCMP cohort of 877 patients with haematological malignancy and COVID-19: disease control as an important factor relative to recent chemotherapy or anti-CD20 therapy.

Patients with haematological malignancies have a high risk of severe infection and death from SARS-CoV-2. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the impact of cancer type, disease activity, and treatment in 877 unvaccinated UK patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and active haematological cancer. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities, the highest mortality was in patients with acute leukaemia [odds ratio (OR) = 1·73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·1-2·72, P = 0·017] and myeloma (OR 1·3, 95% CI 0·96-1·76, P = 0·08). Having uncontrolled cancer (newly diagnosed awaiting treatment as well as relapsed or progressive disease) was associated with increased mortality risk (OR = 2·45, 95% CI 1·09-5·5, P = 0·03), as was receiving second or beyond line of treatment (OR = 1·7, 95% CI 1·08-2·67, P = 0·023). We found no association between recent cytotoxic chemotherapy or anti-CD19/anti-CD20 treatment and increased risk of death within the limitations of the cohort size. Therefore, disease control is an important factor predicting mortality in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection alongside the possible risks of therapies such as cytotoxic treatment or anti-CD19/anti-CD20 treatments.

Acquired Bernard-Soulier syndrome and hypodysfibrinogenaemia because of multiple myeloma.

We describe a case of a patient with multiple myeloma with initial presentation simulating a bleeding disorder. Detailed coagulation work-up showed hypodysfibrinogenaemia along with a platelet function defect consistent with acquired Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS). Multiple plasma exchanges led to significant improvement in his bleeding symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first described case of simultaneous presentation of hypodysfibrinogenaemia and BSS secondary to multiple myeloma.

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK haematology registrars' well-being and training: Results of a UK nationwide survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disturbed medical training. Haematology registrars were surveyed using SurveyMonkey. Eighty-nine out of 269 (24.9%) responded. Reported stressors included concerns about transmitting the infection, disruption of leave, inferior patient outcomes, survivors' guilt and interruption of career progression. Only 31.2% felt ready to progress to the next training stage. Reported causes of lack of training were disruption of clinics and training days and utilisation of telephone consultations. Several stressors negatively impacted haematology registrars' well-being, training and progression. More emphasis on psychological support, outpatient clinic work and e-learning is needed.