COVID-19 Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: Study Reveals Alarming Mortality Rates

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center have published a study in the Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion revealing the poor outcomes and high mortality rates among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients who contracted COVID-19. The study, which analyzed a cohort of 28 patients, found that fever was the most common symptom, with a mortality rate of 14.3% at Day 28 and 25% at Day 42. The study also found that patients who received steroid therapy at the time of COVID-19 infection and those who contracted the virus within a year of their transplant had a higher risk of mortality.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed a cohort of 28 hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection from June 2020 to December 2020.
  • Fever was the most common symptom at the time of presentation in 78.5% of patients.
  • Mortality rate at Day 28 and Day 42 was 14.3% and 25%, respectively.
  • Patients within one year of HSCT and severe infection had higher day 28 mortality (with p values = 0.038).
  • There was no relation of mortality with type of transplant.
  • The study found that older age, steroid therapy at the time of COVID-19 infection, and COVID-19 infection within a year of HSCT were linked to poor outcomes.

Statistics:

  • 28 patients were analyzed in the study.
  • 22 (78.5%) patients presented with fever as the most common symptom.
  • Mortality rate at Day 28 was 4/28 (14.3%).
  • Mortality rate at Day 42 was 7/28 (25%).
  • Patients within one year of HSCT had a higher risk of mortality (with p values = 0.038).

Sources:

  • Outcomes of Covid-19 In Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: Multicenter Retrospective Analysis. Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, 2022;38(2):388-393.
  • Springer India. (www.springer.com; Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion - www.springerlink.com/content/0971-4502/)
  • Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre. (Sect 5, Delhi 110085, India)