Abstract
BackgroundOver the past decades, survival rate for childhood cancer has greatly improved. However, the risk of late cardiac complications after such treatment remains high. Previous studies have shown that the risk for heart failure among childhood cancer survivors is significantly higher than that observed in the general population. The aim of this systematic review is to identify, critically appraise and synthesize existing population-based studies reporting on the frequency of heart failure, both incidence or prevalence, that may develop after treatment of childhood cancer.Method:The following databases will be searched from their inception date until May 17th 2021: Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, CAB International, AMED, Global Health, Psycinfo, Web of science and Google Scholar. Population-based studies reporting on the incidence and/or prevalence of heart failure after treatment of any type of childhood cancer will be included. Screening of articles, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed independently by two reviewers. The quality and risk of bias in the studies included will be assessed by using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. A narrative synthesis of the extracted data will be undertaken and, for studies that are sufficiently homogenous, a meta-analysis using random-effects models performed.DiscussionThis systematic review will provide a clearer picture of the epidemiology of heart failure after treatment of childhood cancer. Collected data will be of value for future childhood cancer treatment protocols and also offer guidance for post-treatment cardiac surveillance among survivors.Systematic review registrationThis protocol follows the structure of the recommendation of the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and has been submitted in PROSPERO on April 28th 2021, awaiting assignment of registration number.
Early Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions in Childhood Cancer Survivors
