The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood acute leukemia

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult survivors of childhood acute leukemia. This study also aimed to determine the effect of different therapies on the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in these patients.

This study concluded that metabolic syndrome is frequent among childhood AL survivors, regardless of treatment type. This study also concluded that the metabolic syndrome presentation differs depending on treatment type.

Acute leukemia (AL) is a cancer that is common in childhood. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are types of AL. Long term survivors of childhood AL are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) consists of a range of conditions such as increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat and abnormal cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndromes can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of MS in adult survivors of childhood AL, and the effect of different treatments on the prevalence of MS, was unknown.

This study involved 1025 childhood AL survivors (AL group) and 3203 patients who did not have AL (control group). Patients were followed for an average of 16.3 months.  The metabolic profile of both groups of patients was compared.  

10.3% of the AL group experienced MS compared to 4.5% of the control group.

AL survivors treated with transplants and total body irradiation had the highest risk (6.26 times) of experiencing MS when compared to all treated AL patients. Total body irradiation is a form of radiotherapy usually used before a transplant. Patients who received other treatments had higher risk of MS when compared to the control group. Patients treated with chemotherapy only were 68% more likely to have MS compared to controls. Patients treated with chemotherapy and cranial irradiation were 2.32 times more likely to experience MS when compared to controls. Patients who received a transplant were 2.18 times more likely to experience MS when compared to controls.

Patients who received total body irradiation and had MS displayed a smaller waist circumference, increased triglyceride (fat) levels, increased fasting glucose (blood sugars levels after a period without food or drink) levels and systolic blood pressure (pressure when heart is contracting) when compared to controls.

Patients who were treated with cranial irradiation and had MS displayed a larger waist circumference than controls.  

This study concluded that MS is frequent among childhood AL survivors, regardless of treatment type. This study also concluded that the MS presentation differs depending on treatment type.

The limitation to this study is that some MS factors have not been documented.

Consult your physician about the risk of MS after AL treatment.