Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had enormous consequences in Brazil and worldwide. Patients with cancer affected by COVID-19 are at a higher risk of developing complications and worse outcomes compared to the non-cancer population, particularly the ones on active systemic treatment. Considering the COVID-19’s high transmissibility in asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients, we sought to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in patients with solid cancers receiving systemic therapy in a Brazilian public health hospital. Furthermore, we studied whether socio-economic status was associated with prevalence. Methods Consecutive asymptomatic patients undergoing treatment for solid tumours at the chemotherapy and infusion centre of Hospital de Base were enrolled. Patients were prospectively tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA real-time polymerase chain reaction with nasal and oropharyngeal swabs immediately prior to treatment. A socio-economic survey was carried out prior to testing. Demographic and socio-economic characteristics were summarised in means, medians and proportions. Results From 6 to 13 October 2020, 148 asymptomatic patients were identified. Of those, 41 were excluded, leaving 107 eligible patients. The mean age of the population was 58 years (SD ± 12.6); 54% were female and 90% were self-identified as White. The most common cancer sites were gastrointestinal tract (36%) and breast (25%). Most patients had a metastatic disease (59%) and were on anticancer treatment involving chemotherapy (95%). Regarding socio-economic status, 46% of our population had either primary school or illiterate as their highest educational level. In terms of monthly income, 92% had a personal income inferior to U$380 and 88% a household income inferior to U$585. Of the 107 patients tested, only 1 (0.9%) was positive for COVID-19. This is a 48-year-old man living in an urban area, with primary school educational level and a monthly personal income inferior to U$390. Conclusion Despite a high prevalence of COVID-19 in Brazil, our cohort demonstrated a low prevalence of COVID-19 (0.9%) amongst asymptomatic patients with cancer. We hypothesise that patients with cancer, independent of their socio-economic status, are aware of the increased risk of developing a severe disease and are adherent to physical distancing, masking and hygiene measures.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Cancer, Prevalence, Asymptomatic testing, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, coronavirus disease, Brazil, public health, coronavirus, pandemic, therapy, hospital, Infection, nasal, outcome, RNA, Chemotherapy, Cohort, Characteristics, Measures, Transmissibility, Asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, oropharyngeal swab, female, Patient, Complication, age, physical distancing, demographic, patients, gastrointestinal tract, asymptomatic patient, severe disease, hygiene, solid cancer, Patients with cancer, acute respiratory syndrome, higher risk, Eligible patients, increased risk, solid tumour, proportions, white, base, anticancer, positive, metastatic disease, means, consequence, independent, polymerase chain, Result, enrolled, highest, tested, affected, carried, Most patient, receiving, median, determine, demonstrated, adherent, hypothesise, prevalence of COVID-19, were excluded, 【제목키워드】 Brazil, Asymptomatic, healthcare, cancer patient, treated,