Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is affecting a high percentage of the population at an unprecedented rate. Cancer patients comprise a subgroup especially vulnerable to this infection. Herein, we present a prospective analysis of epidemiological, clinical, radiological and laboratory data of consecutive adult cancer patients seen in the Clínico San Carlos University Hospital (Madrid, Spain), and admitted to hospital and tested for COVID‐19 between 21 February 2020 and 8 May 2020 due to clinical suspicion of infection. Data from 73 patients with confirmed COVID‐19 and active solid tumors or diagnosed within the previous 5 years were analyzed. The most frequent malignancy was lung cancer (19%) and 54 patients (74%) were on active cancer treatment. Most common findings on presentation included cough (55%), fever (52%) and dyspnea (45%), and 32 (44%) patients showed oxygen saturation levels below 95%. Radiologically, 54 (73%) patients presented an abnormal pattern, the most frequent being infiltrates (64%). 18 (24.7%) patients died in hospital and 55 (75.3%) were discharged with clinical resolution of the event. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and tumor stage showed higher odds of in‐hospital death associated with a history of cardiovascular disease, hospitalization in the previous 30 days, and several features on admission including dyspnea, higher qSOFA score, higher C‐reactive protein levels and an abnormal neutrophil count. We present prospective, real‐world evidence that can help articulate cancer care protocols for patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, with special focus on features on admission that can stratify patients with a higher risk of death from COVID‐19.
U.S.-Mexico border communities are uniquely vulnerable to sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission given the economic and social challenges these communities face. This study examines how marginalized statuses of U.S. border residents are associated with STI awareness and sexual behaviors. We surveyed low-income residents receiving STI testing and/or HIV/AIDS care in the lower Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas. Respondents aged 18+ took a self-administered survey available in English or Spanish in a clinic waiting room (N = 282). Approximately 52% of respondents reported being HIV+, and 32% of respondents reported having a prior STI other than HIV. Although most respondents had heard of HPV (72%), awareness of the HPV vaccine was low across all subgroups (28%), including women (< 35%), reflecting previous findings that border residents are less knowledgeable about the HPV vaccine. Almost half of respondents reported always using a condom (45%), which is higher than elsewhere in the U.S. Male and non-Hispanic respondents had higher estimated prevalence ratios (PR) of lifetime partners [PR 1.39 (95% confidence interval 1.43-3.68), PR 1.88 (1.04-3.41), respectively] and sexual partners met online [PR 3.73 (1.00-14.06), PR 19.98 (5.70-70.10), respectively]. Sexual minority, non-Hispanic, and male respondents had higher adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of utilizing the internet to find sexual partners than their peers [AOR 2.45 (1.60-3.87), AOR 1.52 (1.11-2.07), AOR 1.97 (1.20-3.24), respectively], placing them at greater STI-transmission risk. We found diversity in dimensions of STI awareness and sexual behaviors in our sample. Results can help tailor public health interventions to the unique STI risks of marginalized groups in border communities.
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