key: cord-0811977-i8rbamb2
authors: Merloni, F.; Ranallo, N.; Bastianelli, L.; Vitarelli, F.; Cantini, L.; Ballatore, Z.; Ricci, G.; Fiordoliva, I.; Tassone, L.; Ferretti, B.; Alessandroni, P.; Del Prete, M.; Chiorrini, S.; Safi, M.; Stocchi, L.; Benedetti, G.; Faloppi, L.; Stoico, R.; Berardi, R.
title: COVID-19 pandemic: Patients’ perspective during cancer treatment
date: 2020-09-30
journal: Annals of Oncology
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.08.1763
sha: b6b9e3865af94c5322ca4a4ab956cc608aa621f7
doc_id: 811977
cord_uid: i8rbamb2

nan

Background: Our multicentric study explores the potential relationship between time perception, level of distress and fear of infection with COVID-19 in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: Perception of time was assessed in 300 cancer patients with solid tumors by evaluating each subjects' prospective estimation of how fast one minute passed compared to the actual time. The median value (25 sec) of time perception was used to group cases into two categories of fast and slow perception of time. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer was used to evaluate levels of distress on a scale from 0 to 10. Patients scoring 4 or above were 173 (57.7%) and were regarded as having high levels of distress. Analogical thermometer was created for the fear of COVID-19 infection. 

Skin Cancer Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino

During the COVID-19 outbreak oncological care has been reorganized to face the emergency. Cancer patients have been reported to be at higher risk of severe events related to SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, there are concerns of a possible interference between immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the pathogenesis of the infection. Methods: A 22-item questionnaire was shared with Italian physicians managing ICIs, between May 6 and 16, 2020. This survey aimed at exploring the perception about SARS-CoV-2 related risks in cancer patients receiving ICIs, and whether the management of these patients has been modified during COVID-19 outbreak