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Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical performance after childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 56, pages 2063–2078 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The effects of childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on key organs can impair cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and physical performance. We aimed to provide an overview of childhood HSCT survivors’ status on these parameters compared with healthy controls and discuss current insights into clinical risk factors. We performed a systematic search in six scientific databases, including studies published before April 2019 and performed a meta-analysis on cardiorespiratory fitness. Muscle strength and physical performance status were presented narratively. We included ten studies embodying 517 childhood HSCT survivors (mean 17.8 years at follow-up). The meta-analysis (n = 4 studies) showed that childhood HSCT survivors have lower cardiorespiratory fitness compared with healthy controls (Standard mean difference (SMD) −1.32 [95% CI −1–58 to −1.07]; I2 2%, p < 0.00001). Collectively, the studies indicated that childhood HSCT survivors have lower muscle strength (n = 4 studies) and physical performance (n = 3 studies) compared with healthy controls. Childhood HSCT survivors have impaired cardiorespiratory fitness years after ended treatment. Muscle strength and physical performance seem to be impaired, although these measures are insufficiently investigated. Associations between HSCT-specific clinical risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and physical performance are required.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Forrest plot of Cardiorespiratory fitness.
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Funding

This study is funded by the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation (Børnecancerfonden) (reg:2013-44 and 2019-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), 2100, Copenhagen, Capital Region, Denmark

    Martin Kaj Fridh, Peter Schmidt-Andersen, Anne Anker Nissen, Hanne Bækgaard Larsen & Klaus Müller

  2. Center for Inflammation and Metabolism/Center for Physical Activity (CIM/CFAS), Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), 2100, Copenhagen, Capitol Region, Denmark

    Casper Simonsen & Jesper Frank Christensen

  3. Copenhagen University Hospitals Centre for Health Research (UCSF), Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anders Larsen

  4. Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Capital Region, Denmark

    Abigail L. Mackey

  5. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Capital Region, Denmark

    Abigail L. Mackey

  6. University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Clinical Medicine, 2100, Copenhagen, Capital Region, Denmark

    Hanne Bækgaard Larsen & Klaus Müller

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  1. Martin Kaj Fridh
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  9. Klaus Müller
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Contributions

Conceptualization, MKF, HBL, JFC, and KM; Methodology, MKF, CS, PSA, AAN, LA, and ALM; Validation, PSA and AAN; Formal analysis; MKF, CS, and PSA; Resources; HBL and KM; Writing—original draft, MKF; Writing—review and editing, HBL, ALM, JFC, and KM; Supervision, HBL and KM; Project administration, HBL and KM.

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Correspondence to Martin Kaj Fridh.

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Fridh, M.K., Simonsen, C., Schmidt-Andersen, P. et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and physical performance after childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 56, 2063–2078 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-021-01370-2

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