Factors Associated with Self-reported COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization among Patients Seeking Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Rossybelle P Amorrortu; Yayi Zhao; Robert J Keenan; Scott M Gilbert; Dana E Rollison

doi:10.1007/s40615-023-01855-4

Factors Associated with Self-reported COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization among Patients Seeking Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Nov 2. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01855-4. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rossybelle P Amorrortu¹, Yayi Zhao¹, Robert J Keenan², Scott M Gilbert^{3

4}, Dana E Rollison⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, CSB 8th 8108, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
² Department of Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
³ Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
⁴ Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
⁵ Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, CSB 8th 8108, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA. Dana.rollison@moffitt.org.

PMID: 37917235
DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01855-4

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 infection severity differs by race and ethnicity, but its long-term effect on cancer-related outcomes is unknown. Therefore, information on COVID-19 history is critical to ascertain among new cancer patients in order to advance research on its impact on cancer outcomes and potentially related health disparities.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 16,025 new patients seeking care at Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) between 2021 and 2022. Patient self-reported histories of COVID-19 infection and other pre-existing health conditions were obtained from electronic questionnaires administered to all new MCC patients. Associations between demographics and COVID-19 infection and hospitalization were examined.

Results: A total of 1,971 patients (12.3%) reported ever having COVID-19. Self-reported COVID-19 history was significantly more prevalent in Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic patients (OR = 1.24, 1.05-1.45) and less prevalent in Asian versus White patients (OR = 0.49, 95% 0.33-0.70). Among patients who ever had COVID-19, 10.6% reported a COVID-19-related hospitalization. Males had higher odds of a COVID-19 related hospitalization than females (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.09-2.05), as did Black/African American patients (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.18-3.60) and patients of races other than Black/African American and Asian (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.43-4.54) compared to White patients. Hispanic patients also experienced higher odds of hospitalization (OR = 2.06, 95% CI-1.29- 3.23) compared with non-Hispanic patients of all races in a sensitivity analysis that combined race/ethnicity. Pre-existing lung and breathing problems were associated with higher odds of being hospitalized with COVID-19 (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.61-3.48), but these and other health conditions did not explain the observed associations between race and COVID-19 hospitalization.

Conclusions: Higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalization were observed among patients identifying as Black/African American or Hispanic independent of pre-existing health conditions. Future studies evaluating long-term effects of COVID-19 should carefully examine potential racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; Epidemiology; Hospitalization; Infections; Risk Factors; Self-report.

Grants and funding

P30 CA076292/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States