Physical activity level is not a determinant of autonomic nervous system activity and clinical severity in children/adolescents with sickle cell anemia: A pilot study. Issue 11 (19th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Charlot, Keyne; Moeckesch, Berenike; Jumet, Stéphane; Romana, Marc; Waltz, Xavier; Divialle‐Doumdo, Lydia; Hardy‐Dessources, Marie‐Dominique; Petras, Marie; Tressières, Benoît; Pichon, Aurélien; Tarer, Vanessa; Hue, Olivier; Etienne‐Julan, Maryse; Antoine‐Jonville, Sophie; Connes, Philippe
• Is Part Of: Pediatric blood & cancer. Volume 62:Issue 11(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1962
• Page End: 1967
• Publication Date: 2015-05-19
• Subjects: Tumors in children -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cancer in children -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25604
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1545-5009

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="pbc25604-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity has been suggested to modulate the clinical severity of sickle cell anemia (SCA) by increasing the risk for vaso‐occlusive events. Regular physical activity (PA) is known to improve ANS activity and health status in several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Whether regular PA improves the health status of SCA patients remains unknown.</p> </sec> <sec id="pbc25604-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Procedure</title> <p>Twenty‐two patients with SCA and 15 healthy (AA) children/adolescents participated to the study. Heart rate variability was measured in supine position and after a tilt‐test to quantify the ANS activity. PA energy expenditure (PAEE) was assessed with questionnaire.</p> </sec> <sec id="pbc25604-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>1) PAEE was lower in SCA compared to AA (190 ± 152 vs. 432 ± 277 kcal·d<sup>−1</sup>, respectively, <italic>P</italic> < 0.01), 2) overall ANS activity was lower in SCA compared to AA, 3) parasympathetic withdrawal was observed in SCA with aging, 4) ANS reactivity was slightly impaired in SCA compared to AA (reduction in HFnu: −38 ± 27 vs. −58 ± 14%, respectively, <italic>P</italic> < 0.05), 5) ANS indices, PAEE, and rates of clinical events were not correlated.</p> </sec> <sec id="pbc25604-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Both the level of PA and ANS activity are reduced in SCA compared to AA children/adolescents, particularly in those older than 15 years. Neither PAEE, nor ANS activity seem to influence the clinical severity of children/adolescents with SCA. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>