Exercise capacity in young adults after hematopoietic cell transplantation in childhood

A symptom-limited incremental cycle ergometer test was performed in 17 young adults treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation and total body irradiation for hematological malignancies during childhood. They were compared with 17 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Assessments of pulmonary function, cardiac function, body composition and levels of growth hormone were also included. The median follow-up was 17.7 years. Patients achieved 63.2% of the predicted peak workload, whereas controls achieved 96.1% (p 80% (p<0.001). Fat-free mass was significantly lower (43.5 vs 57.6 kg, p<0.001) and fat mass percentage was significantly higher (31.8 vs 24.2%, p=0.011) in the patients. The peak workload adjusted for fat-free mass was significantly lower in the patients (3.3 vs 4.3, p<0.001). In the patients, peak workload correlated significantly with total lung capacity (r=0.54, p=0.025). In summary, long-term survivors have significantly decreased exercise capacity compared with healthy individuals. Together with their altered body composition, this may predispose them to cardiovascular disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.