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Cancer patients are considered to have a higher risk of dying and developing severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, there are few studies including co-morbidities and sociodemographic factors when investigating the outcome of COVID-19 in a cohort of cancer patients. In this study, we analyzed cancer patients that have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on mortality and morbidity. We retrospectively collected data on all patients with cancer that were hospitalized due to COVID-19-related symptoms at Uppsala University Hospital and Karolinska University Hospital between 1 March and 31 August 2020. The primary endpoint was COVID-19-related death and the secondary endpoint was to describe COVID-19 severity, defined as symptom severity (grades 0–4) and length of stay (LOS) at the university hospitals. In total, 193 patients were included among which 31% died due to COVID-19 and 8% died of other causes. In a multivariable analysis, older age >70 (OR 3.6; 95% CI [1.8–7.3], p < 0.001) and male gender (OR 2.8 [1.4–5.8], p = 0.005) were factors associated with higher likelihood of COVID-19-related death. Several comorbidities ≥2 (OR 5.4 [2.0–14.3], p = 0.001) was independently associated with COVID-19 severity. Treatment with chemotherapy within 90 days prior to COVID-19 diagnosis were not associated with COVID-19-related death or severity. Factors associated with higher likelihood of COVID-19-related death were older age and male gender. More severe COVID-19 symptoms were seen in patients with multiple comorbidities. We did not see any associations between COVID-19-related death or severity and recent treatment including chemotherapy. In summary, this supports a thorough assessment regarding potential risks with COVID-19 infection in patients with cancer, with a combination of individual risk factors in addition to cancer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improved cancer treatments and models of care (such as early palliative care) has developed during recent years. Aspects of healthcare utilisation—unplanned care have been used for evaluation of coordination and quality. The aim was to explore factors associated with cancer healthcare utilisation, during the first year after a cancer diagnosis. Methods: Population‐based registry and patient‐reported data, (The European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), QLQ‐ C30 questionnaire and study‐specific questions) were collected. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models were performed. Results: The sample consists of 1718 patients (haematological, gynaecological, upper gastrointestinal and head and neck cancers). Living alone were associated with unplanned hospital admissions (OR 1.35; 95% CI [1.15, 1.59], p < 0.001). Patients with specialised palliative home care had a higher likelihood of unplanned hospital admissions, (OR 4.35; 95% CI [3.22‐5.91], p < 0.001) and re‐admissions within 30 days, (OR, 5.8; 95% CI [4.12‐8.19], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sociodemographic and clinical factors, such as living alone and disease stage, is associated with healthcare utilisation. Patients with specialised palliative home care report lower levels of HRQoL and higher levels of unplanned care, and our findings stresses the importance of a holistic view when planning care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]