Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer from areas of conflict within the MENA region treated at King Hussein Cancer Center

Al‐Hussaini, Maysa; Al-Ani, Abdallah; Hammouri, Muhammad; Al-Huneidy, Leen; Mansour, Asem

doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1088000

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Early strict restriction may have contributed to the reduction in hospital admissions in certain areas and led to increase in the rates of more advanced disease. [ 30 ] Many patients cancelled their appointments with their cancer doctors in the early phase of the pandemic. In one study from the region, 16% of the patients cancelled an appointment and 12% cancelled treatment sessions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on Management and Outcomes of Oncology Patients: Results of MENA COVID-19 and Cancer Registry (MCCR)

Jazieh,

Bounedjar,

Abdel-Razeq

et al. 2024

Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology

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Introduction Despite extensive studies of the impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer, there is a dearth of information from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Our study aimed to report pertinent MENA COVID-19 and Cancer Registry (MCCR) findings on patient management and outcomes. Methods MCCR was adapted from the American Society of Clinical Oncology COVID-19 Registry to collect data specifically from patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12 centers in eight countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. The Registry included data on patients and disease characteristics, treatment, and patient outcomes. Logistic regression was used to assess associations with mortality. Results Between November 29, 2020, and June 8, 2021, data were captured on 2008 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from the beginning of the pandemic. Median age was 56 years (16–98), 56.4% were females, and 26% were current or ex-smokers. Breast cancer (28.5%) was the leading diagnosis and 50.5% had metastatic disease. Delays of planned treatment (>14 days) occurred in 80.3% for surgery, 48.8% for radiation therapy, and 32.9% for systemic therapy. Significant reduction in the delays of all three treatment modalities occurred after June 1, 2020. All-cause mortality rates at 30 and 90 days were 17.1% and 23.4%, respectively. All-cause mortality rates at 30 days did not change significantly after June 1, 2020; however, 90-day mortality increased from 33.4% to 42.9% before and after that date (p = 0.015). Multivariable regression analysis showed the following predictors of higher 30- and 90-day mortality: age older than 70 years, having metastatic disease, disease progression, and being off chemotherapy. Conclusion Patients with cancer in the MENA region experienced similar risks and outcome of COVID-19 as reported in other populations. Although there were fewer treatment delays after June 1, 2020, 90-day mortality increased, which may be attributed to other risk factors such as disease progression or new patients who presented with more advanced disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on Management and Outcomes of Oncology Patients: Results of MENA COVID-19 and Cancer Registry (MCCR)

Jazieh,

Bounedjar,

Abdel-Razeq

et al. 2024

Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology

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“…Most notably, the recent Syrian crisis is considered by the United Nations to be the worst refugee catastrophe since the Second World War with more than 5 million displaced individuals across Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey [ 4 ]. These populations from areas of conflict are confronted with considerable and complicated healthcare challenges that often create fertile grounds for the spread of infectious diseases and malnutrition among refugees [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In fact, studies have consistently shown that refugees have a higher burden of said diseases compared to their host populations [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Vaccination Challenges among Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Insights from Camps and Communities, and Perceived Parental Barriers to Childhood Vaccination Uptake

Abdulhaq,

Hammouri,

Abu Hawas

et al. 2024

Vaccines

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Purpose: To identify and understand the multifaceted barriers faced by Syrian refugees when seeking vaccination services for their children. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered through structured interviews to a sample of Syrian refugees residing inside the Al-Zaatari camp and in various urban areas across Jordanian communities. This process utilized a multi-stage sampling approach, beginning with a random selection from clusters or strata, and then employing convenience sampling within each to select participants. The survey covered demographics, barriers to vaccination, and vaccine hesitancy. Results: A total of 332 participants completed the survey with a mean age of 32.7 ± 10 years ranging from 18 to 67. More than half of the sample (59%) had an education of 11th grade or less. Sociodemographic disparities regarding barrier perception were evident among participants. Middle-aged adults (older than 32), males, and those with a monthly income less than USD 200 had scored significantly higher on barrier perceptions across all categories (p < 0.05). In-camp residents were less likely to face vaccination barriers compared to those living outside the camps (p < 0.001). Psychological antecedents of vaccine assessments showed that younger individuals had significantly higher scores in complacency, calculation, and constraints (p < 0.05). Participants with lower income had lower constraints and calculation scores (p < 0.05). In-camp residents had significantly higher scores in complacency, constraints, and calculation constructs compared outside camps counterparts (p < 0.05). Participants with no formal education had higher scores in complacency and constraints, and those with less than a 12th-grade education and higher education degrees scored significantly higher on the collective responsibility construct (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Efforts to promote vaccination among refugees should consider the specific challenges faced by this population, including financial barriers, healthcare access inequalities, and the impact of living arrangements. Public health strategies should address not only individual and psychological factors but also the physical and logistical challenges in obtaining vaccines.

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Assessment of psycho-oncology in the Middle East and North Africa region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Al-Hussaini,

Abdel-Razeq,

Shamieh

et al. 2024

The Oncologist

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Background The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to witness a significant increase in the burden of cancer. Contrary to Western literature, the burden of psycho-oncology is yet to be established within the MENA region. This study reviews all available evidence characterizing the psychological burden among patients with cancer across the MENA region. Methods We systematically explored the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane/CENTRAL, and Web of Science (WoS) databases for reports on the psychiatric burden among patients with cancer residing within the MENA region from January 2000 until January 2023. Raw proportion were extracted and analyzed using a random-effects model. Findings Eighty-three studies comprised of 16 810 participants, representing 14 countries, met our inclusion criteria. Across the MENA region, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and distress were 44% (95% CI, 39%-50%), 47% (95% CI, 40%-54%), and 43% (95% CI, 30%-56%), respectively. Prevalence of depression was significantly different across countries, with Palestine (73%; 95% CI, 42%-91%) reporting the highest rate while Morocco (23%; 95% CI, 7%-56%) reported the lowest. Similarly, anxiety significantly differed across MENA nations ranging from 64% (95% CI, 3%-99%) in Morocco to 28% (95% CI, 18%-42%) in Tunisia. Rates of depression and anxiety were significantly different across measurement tools but not between Arabic-speaking versus Persian/Farsi-speaking countries. Meta-regression models showed that neither publication year nor age affected the prevalence of both anxiety and depression (P = .374 and .091 for depression and P = .627, and .546 for anxiety, respectively). Interpretation We report an abnormally high rate of psychiatric burden among patients with cancer in the MENA region. Thus, establishing appropriate psycho-oncologic interventions within the MENA region is of utmost importance.

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Investigating the impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer from areas of conflict within the MENA region treated at King Hussein Cancer Center

Cited by 3 publications

References 44 publications

Impact of COVID-19 on Management and Outcomes of Oncology Patients: Results of MENA COVID-19 and Cancer Registry (MCCR)

Impact of COVID-19 on Management and Outcomes of Oncology Patients: Results of MENA COVID-19 and Cancer Registry (MCCR)

Exploring Vaccination Challenges among Syrian Refugees in Jordan: Insights from Camps and Communities, and Perceived Parental Barriers to Childhood Vaccination Uptake

Assessment of psycho-oncology in the Middle East and North Africa region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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