COVID-19 infection in Chronic myeloid leukemia patients

COVID-19 infection in CML patients

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) may present with more severe symptoms in immunocompromised and elderly patients, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients.

Method: From Jan 2020 to June 2021 all adult CML cohort receiving treatment from Patan Hospital, identified with COVID-19 infection were included in the study to analyze the severity of symptoms of COVID-19 in different age groups, phases of the CML, types of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) used, and overall outcome. Ethical approval was obtained. Data were analyzed for association between variables by Fisher exact test using SPSS software.

 Result: Out of 882 CML cohort 23(2.60%) patients had COVID-19, more in the female population and in the younger age group, but the mortality was higher in the elderly age group which was statically significant. Regardless of symptoms, stages, different TKI used, about 92% recovered fully from COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion: The incidence rate of COVID-19 infection in CML cohort patients, was 2.6%, and 92% recovered. Advanced stage of CML and elderly were had a more severe infection and higher mortality rate.

Keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, tyrosine kinase inhibitor.