Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40227726›Full record

ArticleCancers2025

Catheter-Related Late Complications in Cancer Patients During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study.

Alessio Lo Cascio, Mattia Bozzetti, Daniele Napolitano, Marcella Dabbene, Leonardo Lunetto, Roberto Latina, Stefano Mancin, Marco Sguanci, Michela Piredda

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancers, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alessio Lo CascioLa Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5581-4114
Mattia BozzettiAzienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale di Cremona, 26100 Cremona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1644-2108
Daniele NapolitanoCemad-Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2481-5354
Marcella DabbeneLa Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Leonardo LunettoLa Maddalena Cancer Center, Via San Lorenzo 312, 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Roberto LatinaDepartment of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche, 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7829-3654
Stefano MancinIRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4988-4391
Marco SguanciResearch Unit Nursing Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma University, via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8845-5127
Michela PireddaResearch Unit Nursing Science, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico di Roma University, via Alvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5998-476X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) and midline catheters are crucial for chemotherapy and supportive care in cancer patients. Their use requires ongoing monitoring to prevent late complications such as infections, dislodgements, and replacements. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged healthcare systems, potentially increasing these complications due to reduced outpatient services and limited specialized personnel.

objectivesThis study compared the incidence of late complications associated with PICCs and midline catheters in cancer patients during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

methodsA retrospective observational study was conducted at a Cancer Center in Italy from March 2020 to April 2024. Catheter-related complications were divided into two cohorts: during the pandemic (March 2020-March 2022) and post-pandemic (April 2022-April 2024). The primary outcome was the incidence of late complications requiring device removal, categorized as infections, dislodgements, and replacements. Statistical analyses included the Chi-squared test for categorical variables and the Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables.

resultsOf 4104 PICC and midline catheter placements, 2291 removals were recorded, with 550 (24%) due to late complications-404 during the pandemic and 146 post-pandemic (

conclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted catheter management in cancer patients, increasing late complications. The post-pandemic decline highlights the importance of consistent care, infection prevention, remote monitoring, and stronger healthcare resilience to reduce risks in future crises.

Indexed as

catheter-related complicationsCOVID-19midlineneoplasmsnursingPICC

Identifiers

PMID40227726
PMCPMC11988064

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.