Search

Summary: Haematology patients contracting SARS‐CoV‐2 were identified at the start of the pandemic to be at higher risk of death or of persistent symptoms (post‐COVID‐19 syndrome). As variants with altered pathogenicity have emerged, uncertainty remains around how that risk has changed. We prospectively set up a dedicated post‐COVID‐19 clinic to monitor haematology patients infected with COVID‐19 from the start of the pandemic. In total, 128 patients were identified and telephone interviews were conducted with 94 of 95 survivors. Ninety‐day mortality attributed to COVID‐19 has fallen sequentially from 42% for the Original and Alpha strains to 9% and to 2% for the Delta and Omicron variants respectively. Furthermore, the risk of post‐COVID‐19 syndrome in survivors has fallen from 46% for the Original or Alpha strains to 35% for Delta and 14% for the Omicron strain. Since vaccine uptake has been nearly universal in haematology patients, it is not possible to determine whether improved outcomes reflect the reduced pathogenicity of the virus, or widespread vaccine deployment. Whilst mortality and morbidity remain higher in haematology patients than in the general population, our data suggest that the absolute risks are now significantly lower. Given this trend, we believe clinicians should initiate conversations about risk with their patients on whether to maintain any self‐imposed social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an aberrant immune response is implicated in the persistence of symptoms in some patients after COVID-19,6 it is important to investigate how patients with underlying haematological disorders are affected by post-COVID-19 syndrome. We recommend that colleagues consider establishing a post-COVID-19 clinic specifically for this patient group, in order to pro-actively identify patients with persistent symptoms, as specialist referrals may aid their recovery. Post-COVID-19 syndrome in patients with haematological disorders who have survived infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. [Extracted from the article]

Assessing the impact of lockdown: Fresh challenges for the care of haematology patients in the COVID-19 pandemic Worldwide cases of confirmed COVID-19 are approaching three million, and citizens around the world are experiencing unprecedented changes to their lifestyles due to the measures implemented to slow the spread of the disease. New diagnoses of haematological malignancy There has been a 71% fall in the numbers of full blood counts performed from primary care in the four weeks since the lockdown was introduced, and 57% fewer patients referred by e-referral for specialist haematology review. [Extracted from the article]

Keeping haematology patients out of hospital Patients with haematological malignancies frequently have complex diseases, with extensive past medical histories and comorbidities. Staff caring for haematology patients should not also work shifts in other areas of the hospital where they may routinely encounter patients infected with COVID-19. The inability to safely deliver this care would lead to transfers of haematology patients to neighbouring hospitals and tertiary centres, in turn reducing their capacity to provide urgent treatments for other patients. [Extracted from the article]