COVID Patients Suffering Greater Mental, Physical Declines Than Some Cancer Patients At Rehab Facilities, According to New Research; How To Stay Safe Amid Uncertainty

“Among patients referred to outpatient rehabilitation, those recovering from COVID-19 had poorer physical health and functional status than those who had cancer, or were recovering from cancer but not COVID-19,” states the study. “Patients recovering from COVID-19 might need additional clinical support, including tailored physical and mental health rehabilitation services.”

There were 1,295 COVID patients and 2,395 cancer patients, selected because both groups undergo the same evaluation upon arriving to rehab facilities.

Overall, the group of COVID patients had more men and was younger than the group of cancer patients. Despite that fact, it was the COVID group who “were more likely to have received a diagnosis of generalized muscle weakness or fatigue.”

A look at the numbers:  32.9% of COVID patients were in fair or poor general health, while 25.4% of cancer patients were categorized that way. 40.4% of COVID patients reported pain levels greater than 7, while 24.8% of cancer patients reported that level. 32.3% of COVID patients reported difficulty with physical activity, while 24.2% of cancer patients did.

Overall, COVID patients were in a more weakened physical state, experiencing more pain and malaise, mentally exhausted, and requiring more of the support staff’s time than cancer patients.

These declines were so noticeable and consistent with previous studies that the authors recommended COVID patients might benefit from a rehabilitation program that is better tailored to their specific needs.

It was also noted that a warning about the effect the virus can have long-term could make for good messaging to encourage vaccination and mask wearing to the general public.

How Cancer Patients Can Keep Themselves Safe

It can be especially stressful to be a cancer patient right now. With the COVID-19 delta variant spreading and research indicating that some immunocompromised people don't get equal protection from the available vaccines, there sometimes seems to be more questions than answers.

Currently, immunocompromised individuals – such as those with certain types of cancers -represent half of the COVID breakthrough cases requiring hospitalization, despite representing less than 3% of the population.

Immunocompromised patients are also more likely to experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, are at a higher risk of transmitting the virus to family and friends,  and are more susceptible to testing positive for the highly-contagious Delta variant even after they have been fully-vaccinated.

These concerning statistics were shared last month at a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which ended with the group stating that they lacked the power to approve a third booster shot for this high-risk population.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization called for a moratorium on booster shots until the end of September so that the rest of the world could have access to initial vaccines.

Related: How to Talk COVID and Cancer With an Anti-Vaxxer: 'Be Vulnerable' and Stick to the Facts Like The Kennedys

A member of the CDC’s advisory group said that some immunocompromised people are finding third doses on their own.

“I am concerned about [immunocompromised patients getting a booster] in an unsupervised fashion, but as of right now it is due to regulatory issues,” stated the board member. “We are not allowed to recommend additional doses to any patients so they are really just doing what they think is best.”

There have been a handful of studies measuring the impact a booster or third shot has on those who are immunocompromised, and all suggested that they were effective in getting those individuals to produce more antibodies to fight COVID as the Delta variant surges through the U.S.

Related: COVID-19 Booster Shot Could Help Some Cancer Patients, Oncologists Say, But Masks Must Still Be Worn as Delta Variant Surges

There has yet to be a study, however, with a sample size large enough to make a more concrete determination at this time.

The CDC and FDA are both in agreement that the general population does not need a booster shot at this time.

The board will not meet again until later this month, and it is unclear if the FDA will authorize that emergency use between now and then, with the Delta variant now accounting for more than 90% of COVID cases in the U.S.

In the meantime, oncologists agree that the best course of action for cancer patients is to continue wearing a mask, and to get vaccinated as soon as possible if you haven’t yet.

“Wearing proper PPE (personal protective equipment) indoors, in areas with low vaccination rates, or crowded areas is still important, particularly for cancer patients,” says Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian.

 

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