In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cardiometabolic complications (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This study concluded that cardiometabolic complications are more prevalent in these patients when compared to the general population.
Some background
Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) have an increased risk of long-term cardiometabolic complications (CC). CC include metabolic syndromes and high levels of fats in the blood (dislipidemia). Metabolic syndrome is associated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
The prevalence and predictors of CC in cALL survivors were unknown.
Methods & findings
This study involved 247 childhood, adolescent and young adult survivors of cALL. All patients underwent a cardiometabolic assessment. The average age at assessment was 21.7.
70% of females in the study were overweight or obese. Obesity at the end of treatment was associated with a 2.07-fold increase in the risk of obesity at cardiometabolic assessment. It was also associated with 3.04-times the risk of metabolic syndrome.
20% of adult males experienced (pre)hypertension. 19% of child males experienced the same. Male gender was associated with a 5.12-fold increase in the risk of (pre)hypertension.
41.3% of females experienced dislipidemia and 6.1% of adult females experienced prediabetes. Cranial radiation therapy was a predictor of dyslipidemia and high LDL-cholesterol.
The bottom line
This study concluded that cALL survivors had higher risk of CC than the general population. The risk of obesity did not differ between the survivors and general population.
What’s next?
Consult your physician about screening and treatment of CC.
Published By :
Scientific reports
Date :
Dec 15, 2017