Is health status impaired in childhood cancer survivors? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background : An increase in survival rates of childhood cancer is associated with long-term health issues in survivors. Methods : We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing health status-related endpoints in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) versus controls. Results : Eighty-six studies (n = 98,480 participants, 62% CCS) were included in the review. Of these, 73 studies (n = 96,550, 63% CCS) could be meta-analyzed. CCS showed a lower left ventricular ejection and fractional shortening (SMD=-0.59 and -0.55, respectively, both p  Conclusions : CCS is associated with a lower left ventricular function and HDL-cholesterol level, and a higher waist-to-hip ratio than healthy controls. These findings support the need to closely monitor the cardiometabolic health status of CCS and to implement preventive lifestyle interventions for this population.