Skeletal, neuromuscular and fitness impairments among children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Issue 4 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ness, Kirsten K.; Kaste, Sue C.; Zhu, Liang; Pui, Ching-Hon; Jeha, Sima; Nathan, Paul C.; Inaba, Hiroto; Wasilewski-Masker, Karen; Shah, Durga; Wells, Robert J.; Karlage, Robyn E.; Robison, Leslie L.; Cox, Cheryl L.
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 56:Issue 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 1004
• Page End: 1011
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2014.944519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This study describes skeletal, neuromuscular and fitness impairments among 109 children (median age 10 [range 4–18] years, 65.1% male, 63.3% white) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Outcomes were measured 7–10 days after diagnosis and compared to age- and sex-specific expected values. Associations between function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) were evaluated with logistic regression. Children with ALL had sub-optimal bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score/height (mean ± standard error: − 0.53 ± 0.16 vs. 0.00 ± 0.14, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), body mass index percentile (57.6 ± 3.15 vs. 50.0 ± 3.27%, <italic>p</italic> = 0.02), quadriceps strength (201.9 ± 8.3 vs. 236.1 ± 5.4 N, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01), 6 min walk distance (385.0 ± 13.1 vs. 628.2 ± 7.1 m, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency scores (23 ± 2.5 vs. 50 ± 3.4%, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01). Quadriceps weakness was associated with a 20.9-fold (95% confidence interval 2.5–173.3) increase in poor physical HRQL. Children with newly diagnosed ALL have weakness and poor endurance and may benefit from early rehabilitation that includes strengthening and aerobic conditioning.</p> </abstract>