The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on access to treatment for children with cancer in India and treating center practices.
COVID-19
India
childhood cancer
coronavirus 2019
hospital registration
impact
Journal
Cancer
ISSN: 1097-0142
Titre abrégé: Cancer
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0374236
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 02 2022
01 02 2022
Historique:
revised:
23
06
2021
received:
13
04
2021
accepted:
28
06
2021
pubmed:
8
10
2021
medline:
1
2
2022
entrez:
7
10
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led the Indian government to announce a nationwide lockdown on March 23, 2020. This study aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on the accessibility of care for children with cancer and to view strategies adopted by hospitals for service delivery. Weekly average of childhood cancer (≤18 years) patient registrations during pre-lockdown period (January 1 to March 23, 2020) were compared with post-lockdown period (March 24 to May 31, 2020). The effect on the scheduled treatment was investigated for post-lockdown period. A survey of health care providers was conducted to determine centers' adopted strategies. In 30 participating centers, 1146 patients with childhood cancer (797 pre-lockdown period and 349 post-lockdown period) were registered. The weekly average registration was 67.3 and 35.5 patients during pre-lockdown and post-lockdown respectively (decline of 47.9%). Although most centers experienced this decline, there were 4 that saw an increase in patient registrations. The distribution of patients registered post-lockdown was found significantly different by age (lesser older age, P = .010) and distance (lesser travel distance, P = .001). 36.1% of patients, who were scheduled for any of the treatment modalities (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) during the post-lockdown period, experienced delays. Centers adopted several strategies including modifications to treatment protocols, increased use of growth factors, and increased support from social organizations. This multicenter study from India suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown impacted 2 out of 3 children with cancer. The effect of this on survival is yet to be established.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led the Indian government to announce a nationwide lockdown on March 23, 2020. This study aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on the accessibility of care for children with cancer and to view strategies adopted by hospitals for service delivery.
METHODS
Weekly average of childhood cancer (≤18 years) patient registrations during pre-lockdown period (January 1 to March 23, 2020) were compared with post-lockdown period (March 24 to May 31, 2020). The effect on the scheduled treatment was investigated for post-lockdown period. A survey of health care providers was conducted to determine centers' adopted strategies.
RESULTS
In 30 participating centers, 1146 patients with childhood cancer (797 pre-lockdown period and 349 post-lockdown period) were registered. The weekly average registration was 67.3 and 35.5 patients during pre-lockdown and post-lockdown respectively (decline of 47.9%). Although most centers experienced this decline, there were 4 that saw an increase in patient registrations. The distribution of patients registered post-lockdown was found significantly different by age (lesser older age, P = .010) and distance (lesser travel distance, P = .001). 36.1% of patients, who were scheduled for any of the treatment modalities (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) during the post-lockdown period, experienced delays. Centers adopted several strategies including modifications to treatment protocols, increased use of growth factors, and increased support from social organizations.
CONCLUSIONS
This multicenter study from India suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown impacted 2 out of 3 children with cancer. The effect of this on survival is yet to be established.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34618361
doi: 10.1002/cncr.33945
pmc: PMC8653392
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
579-586Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
© 2021 American Cancer Society.
Références
Lancet Oncol. 2020 Jun;21(6):753-755
pubmed: 32437662
Cancer. 2022 Feb 1;128(3):579-586
pubmed: 34618361
Indian J Pediatr. 2021 Jan;88(1):1-2
pubmed: 32960407
BMJ Open. 2020 Nov 17;10(11):e043828
pubmed: 33203640
Health Serv Insights. 2020 Dec 28;13:1178632920984161
pubmed: 33447044
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Dec;67(12):e28519
pubmed: 32588962
Cancer. 2020 Sep 15;126(18):4235-4245
pubmed: 32648950
Br J Cancer. 2012 Jun 26;107(1):183-8
pubmed: 22576590
Ecancermedicalscience. 2021 Jan 14;15:1172
pubmed: 33680086
BMC Public Health. 2019 Dec 2;19(1):1613
pubmed: 31791308
Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2021 May;5(5):332-340
pubmed: 33675698
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Jan;68(1):e28571
pubmed: 32881256
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Aug;67(8):e28438
pubmed: 32542968
Lancet Oncol. 2020 Aug;21(8):1023-1034
pubmed: 32702310
Indian J Cancer. 2009 Oct-Dec;46(4):264-73
pubmed: 19749456
Lancet Oncol. 2012 Oct;13(10):e445-59
pubmed: 23026830
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Sep;67(9):e28560
pubmed: 32654375
Acta Paediatr. 2021 Feb;110(2):596-597
pubmed: 32959407
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Sep;67(9):e28462
pubmed: 32649014
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Jan;68(1):e28554
pubmed: 32893961