key: cord-0908354-5dnctxb7
authors: Conev, N. V.; Petrova, M.; Dimitrova, E.; Zhelev, K.; Zahariev, Z. I.; Nikolov, K.; Popov, T.; Ivanova, M.; Evgeniev, N.; Shterev Donev, I.
title: The presence of COVID-19 makes more cancer patients distressed and time perception may distinguish them
date: 2020-09-30
journal: Annals of Oncology
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.08.1762
sha: bafb25c3f57ddbe406b7ef348a0e22da374674f6
doc_id: 908354
cord_uid: 5dnctxb7

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