Impact of COVID-19 on the Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Acute Leukaemia: An academic centre experience

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients treated at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman with AML or ALL from January 2017 to December 2021. Data were obtained from the electronic medical record, and patients diagnosed before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with those diagnosed during the pandemic using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 151 patients with ALL (n = 58) and AML (n = 93) were included, of whom 78 were diagnosed before the COVID-19 pandemic and 73 during the pandemic. The rate of acute leukaemia increased during the pandemic (P = 0.039). The clinical characteristics and molecular profiles were similar between the 2 periods, except for platelet count which was higher during the pandemic compared to before the pandemic (median platelet count: 55 × 109/L versus 47 × 109/L; P = 0.02). No significant difference was found in the number of FLT3-positive AML; however, the number of NPM1-mutated AML cases was higher during the pandemic (P = 0.02). The number of Philadelphia-positive ALL cases remained consistent between the 2 time periods. The complete remission (P = 0.48) and the overall survival rates were similar (P >0.05). Conclusion: Except for an increased rate of acute leukaemia and a lower platelet count, the COVID-19 pandemic did not impact the presentation and outcomes of acute leukaemia.