Is it possible to increase the amount of physical activity in patients isolated due to stem cell transplantation?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sölvi Vejby

Abstract Abstract Purpose: To investigate if physical activity (PA) support could increase PA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients isolated after haematological stem cell transplantation, compared with standard care. Methods: A prospective historical control group design was used. Patients were sequentially included in a standard care group (SCG, n=22) or a physical activity support group (PASG, n=21). PASG patients received PA support at a pre-transplantation consultation, daily during admission, and at follow-up 14 days post-discharge. All participants undertook a 6-minute walking test (6MWT) at the beginning and end of their hospital stay. HRQoL was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Anaemia scale. Patients reported all PA, including sitting, throughout their hospital stay. Metabolic Equivalents of Task (METs) were calculated. Results: PASG patients spent more time sitting and doing various activities, and less in bed, than SCG patients (p=0.03–0.06). They had more calculated METs for total PA out of bed (p=0.02) and time spent sitting (p=0.05). PASG patients walked further in the 6MWT than SCG patients at baseline (p=0.02) and at discharge, but not significantly. There were no statistically significant differences in HRQoL, but PASG patients had clinically important less fatigue at discharge and clinically important better HRQoL 6 months post-discharge. Conclusions: Providing stem cell patients, pre-transplantation, with individual care plans for structured PA support during the hospital stay might increase PA and have a clinically important impact on HRQoL. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the effects of PA support on medical outcome and length of hospital stay.

2021 ◽  
pp. 205715852110054
Author(s):  
Sölvi Vejby ◽  
Anna Eriksson ◽  
Karin Nordin ◽  
Birgitta Johansson

Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are isolated and commonly bedridden. Our aim was to investigate whether a nursing intervention is feasible to increase physical activity after a stem cell transplantation, compared to standard care. A secondary aim was to compare quality of life between the groups. A non-equivalent group pretest-posttest design was applied. Twenty-two patients were included in the standard care group and 21 in the intervention group. The intervention comprised physical activity support pre transplantation, daily during hospital stay, and 14 days post discharge. An activity diary, metabolic equivalent of tasks, the six-minute walking test and the FACT-Anaemia Scale were used for evaluation. This study is reported in accordance with the CONSORT statement. The intervention group was more physically active, walked further in six minutes and seemed to have a slightly better quality of life compared to patients receiving standard care. The nursing intervention increased physical activity and may be associated with a better quality of life in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.


Author(s):  
Kosar Raoufinejad ◽  
Shahrzad Pezeshki ◽  
Bahram Chahardouli ◽  
Molouk Hadjibabaie ◽  
Zahra Jahangard-Rafsanjani ◽  
...  

Backgrounds: One of the most frequent complications of high-dose chemotherapy regimen before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is oral mucositis (OM). Vitamin D (VD) has well-known immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.This study aimed to evaluate the association of pre-HSCT VD levels with OM as well as neutrophil and platelet engraftments in patients with multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after autologous HSCT. Methods: A sample of 71 patients was enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Serum samples were collected in the morning prior to the administration of conditioning regimen to measure the 25-OH-D. OM was examined daily during hospital stay. The World Health Organization (WHO) scale was used for scoring the OM. Absolute neutrophil count and platelet count were determined daily from transplantation until engraftment. Results: Patients aged 18-65 years. Mean length of hospital stay was 15.8±5.7 days. OM was detected in 44/71 (62.0%) of patients. Mean time to the engraftment of neutrophils and platelets were 11.8±4.0 and 17.2±7.3 days, respectively. Mean level of 25-OH-D was 17.5±14.0 ng/ml. VD deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was diagnosed in 51/71 (71.8%) of patients. No association between the 25-OH-D levels and incidence of OM (P=0.69) or OM grade 3-4 (P=0.46) was found. No significant correlations were detected between the 25-OH-D and engraftment time of neutrophils (P=0.46) or platelets (P=0.17). Conclusions: The prevalence of VD deficiency was high among adult HSCT patients at the time of transplantation. No association was found between the pre-HSCT VD level and OM or engraftment time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Ruf ◽  
Alaa Badran ◽  
Céline Siauw ◽  
Imme Haubitz ◽  
Paul-Gerhardt Schlegel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has improved survival in high-risk childhood leukemia but is associated with long-term sequelae such as impaired pulmonary function and reduced exercise capacity impacting quality of life. Methods A convenience sample of 17 patients after allo-HSCT (HSCT—12 male, age 15.7±6.7 years, time after HSCT 5.3±2.8 years) underwent pulmonary function testing, echocardiography, and an incremental exercise test on a bike. Physical activity and health-related quality of life were assessed by questionnaires (7-day physical activity recall, PEDS-QL). Seventeen healthy age- and gender-matched controls served as control group (CG) for results of pulmonary function and exercise testing. Results HSCT showed reduced pulmonary function (HSCT vs. CG: FEV1 90.5±14.0 vs. 108.0±8.7%pred; FVC 88.4±19.3 vs. 107.6±6.9%pred, DLCO 75.3±23.6 vs. 104.9±12.8%pred) and exercise capacity (VO2peak 89±30.8%pred, CG 98±17.5%pred; Wmax 84±21.7%pred, CG 115±22.8%pred), but no relevant cardiac dysfunction and a good quality of life (PEDS-QL mean overall score 83.3±10.7). Differences in peak oxygen uptake between groups were mostly explained by 5 adolescent patients who underwent total body irradiation for conditioning. They showed significantly reduced diffusion capacity and reduced peak oxygen uptake. Patients reported a mean time of inactivity of 777±159min/day, moderate activity of 110±107 min/day, hard activity of 35±36 min/day, and very hard activity of 23±22 min/day. A higher amount of inactivity was associated with a lower peak oxygen uptake (correlation coefficient tau −0.48, p=0.023). Conclusions This pilot study shows that although patients after allo-HSCT reported a good quality of life, regular physical activity and exercise capacity are reduced in survivors of stem cell transplantation, especially in adolescents who are treated with total body irradiation for conditioning. Factors hindering regular physical activity need to be identified and exercise counseling should be part of follow-up visits in these patients.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1834-1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lynn Henry ◽  
Shuli Li ◽  
Haesook T. Kim ◽  
Colm Magee ◽  
Edwin Alyea ◽  
...  

Abstract Sirolimus (SRL) is a novel immunosuppressive agent that has been demonstrated to reduce GVHD and minimize morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). We have described a syndrome of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), characterized by microangiopathic hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction, whose incidence is increased when SRL is used in association with calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) but not with SRL monotherapy. To determine if SRL use potentiates the effects of CIs on TMA incidence and risk factors, we performed a retrospective cohort analysis of subjects who underwent alloSCT between 1997 and 2003. Methods: Subjects who received a SRL-containing GVHD prophylaxis after a myeloablative preparative regimen were compared with a cohort who received a non-SRL regimen. All subjects received CIs. Diagnosis of TMA required the simultaneous occurrence of: (1) creatinine elevation >2 mg/dL or >50% above baseline, (2) schistocytosis, (3) elevated LDH, and (4) no laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Results: 111 patients who received SRL were compared with 216 patients who received no SRL during the first 100 days after alloSCT. The two groups of patients were balanced for demographic parameters; however, more patients in the SRL group received peripheral blood stem cells (50.5 vs. 18.1%, p<0.01) and had unrelated donors (58.6 vs. 42.6%, p<0.01). The incidence of TMA in the SRL group was 10.8% in comparison with an incidence of 4.2% in the non-SRL group (OR 2.57, p=0.03). Patients who received SRL developed TMA earlier than those who did not receive SRL (median 25 vs. 58 days, p=0.04). At the time of TMA diagnosis, median blood levels of immunosuppressive medications were in their respective therapeutic ranges: SRL (study group) 6.1 ng/ml, tacrolimus (study group) 9.9 ng/ml, tacrolimus (control group) 9.1 ng/ml; cyclosporine (control group) 418 ng/ml. In a multivariable logistic regression model, only the use of SRL (Adjusted Exact OR 3.49, p =0.02) and grade II-IV acute GVHD (Adjusted Exact OR 6.60, p = 0.0002) predicted the occurrence of TMA. Treatment of TMA consisted of discontinuation or dose adjustment of CIs. SRL was discontinued or dosed according to serum level. Two subjects in each group required temporary hemodialysis, and 3 subjects (1 SRL, 2 non-SRL) underwent plasmapheresis. 78% of surviving SRL-treated subjects regained normal renal function. No subject had a TMA recurrence if SRL was reintroduced. Overall survival after TMA diagnosis was better for SRL patients than non-SRL patients (58.3 vs. 11.1%, log rank p=0.02). Conclusion: SRL use is associated with an increased risk of TMA after alloSCT and may act by potentiating the effects of CIs. TMA associated with SRL appears reversible and does not affect overall survival after alloSCT. A careful monitoring strategy for TMA should be employed as part of a SRL-containing GVHD prophylaxis regimen.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5053-5053
Author(s):  
Michael Craig ◽  
Yuan Yao ◽  
Solveig Ericson

Abstract Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) to promote bone marrow recovery. However, the optimal timing of G-CSF in this setting is unknown. We randomized 23 patients undergoing autologous PBSCT for a variety of malignant disorders to G-CSF administration 5 μg/kg/day starting day +5 (Arm A) versus when white blood count (WBC) recovered to 0.2 x 109/L or 0.1 x 109/L for 2 consecutive days (Arm B). Results: All patients engrafted. The median time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) &gt; 1.0 x 109/L in Arms A and B was 12.1 vs. 12.8 days (p=0.77). There was no significant difference in number of days of temperature &gt;38.3°C (4.3 vs. 4.4 days, p=0.71) or hospital stay (23.8 vs. 22.1 days, p=0.93) between Arms A and B respectively. The mean amount of G-CSF administered was 3210 μg/patient in Arm A vs. 2384 μg/patient in Arm B, a significant reduction (p=0.035). Conclusion: Waiting for early signs of engraftment after autologous PBSCT before starting G-CSF administration is associated with a decrease in amount of G-CSF administration by 25%, with no increase in days with fever, time to neutrophil recovery, or length of hospital stay.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4980-4980
Author(s):  
Issa F. Khouri ◽  
Rima M. Saliba ◽  
Daniel R. Couriel ◽  
Grace-Julia Okoroji ◽  
Sandra Acholonu ◽  
...  

Abstract It has been postulated that B cells functioning as antigen-presenting cells may have an important role in the pathogenesis of GVHD. Depletion of donor cells from B-cells resulted in a low incidence of GVHD in mouse model (Schultz et al. BMT1995:16:289–289). More recently, we observed a lower incidence of chronic (and to a lesser extent acute GVHD) in patients with CLL who received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation after a non-myeloablative conditioning regimen containing rituximab (Exp Hematol32:28–35, 2004). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of rituximab on GVHD in the setting of a more intense chemotherapy with BEAM, in patients who received an allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell from HLA-identical siblings. To test this hypothesis, we retrospectively studied 11 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who received BEAM/Rituximab at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We attempted to match these patients by age, donor-recipient gender, and donor-recipient CMV reactivity to a historical control of 44 patients with lymphoma, who received BEAM alone as a conditioning regimen, without the Rituximab. Tacrolimus and methotrexate were used for GVHD prophylaxis in both groups. A total of 10 patients in the study group, could be matched with 19 patients in the control group and were included in the final analysis. The outcome of the 2 groups is shown below: Rituximab-Study Group Control Group -value P No. of patients 10 19 Median age 41 44 0.4     (range) (19–55) (19–60) Patient-Donor sex-matched 9(82%) 18(95%) 0.6 Median # CD34 + cells infused (106/kg) 5.1 4.73 0.1 Patient or Donor CMV+ 9(82%) 18(95%) 0.6 Patient and Donor CMV − 1(10%) 1(5%) Median # prior chemoregimens 3 3 0.9     range (1–8) (1–9) Median follow-up 17 38     range (8–48) (27–77) Acute GVHD 2–4 (n,%) 5(50%) 7(37%) 0.5 Acute GVHD 3–4 (n,%) 3(30%) 5(26%) 0.6 Chronic GVHD (n, % cumulative incidence) 8 (90% + 15) 10 (53% + 12 0.01 Our data suggest that the described protective effect of Rituximab against GVHD in mouse models or in the setting of non-myeloablative allogeneic transplantation, may be overcome by the BEAM. This more intense conditioning regimen may induce more GVHD by enhancing T-cell cytokines release and by causing more gastrointestinal toxicity, thus allowing for a greater antigen presentation.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1178-1178
Author(s):  
Harris V. Naina ◽  
Shaji Kumar ◽  
Shekhar Bitla ◽  
Jeffrey Winters ◽  
William Hogan ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1178 Poster Board I-200 Background: High-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has been shown to be of value in selected patients with malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma (MM). Both granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) are widely used following stem cell transplantation to support accelerated myeloid recovery and potentially shorten hospital stay. In the recent years, PBSCT is increasingly done in an ambulatory care setting and it is not clear if routine growth factor use has any potential benefit. We undertook this study to compare engraftment kinetics, incidence of febrile episodes, hospitalization duration and other outcomes among transplants done with or without growth factor support Patients and Methods: We included adult patients undergoing PBSCT for myeloma and lymphoma between May 2007 and June 2009 in an ambulatory care setting. Prior to April 2008 (Group-1) all patients received GMCSF 500 mcg/ day starting on day 6 routinely. Since April 2008, there was a shift in clinical practice and routine use of GMCSF was discontinued due to lack of clear evidence regarding benefit. Patients transplanted between April 2008 and June 2009 did not routinely receive GMCSF (Group-2). Typical conditioning regimen for lymphoma was BEAM (BCNU, Etoposide, Cytosine Arabinose, Melphalan) and for multiple myeloma was melphalan 200mg/m2. Patients' demographics details, indication for PBSCT, duration of neutropenic fever, hospital stay, and neutrophil and platelet engraftment were collected from electronic medical records. Neutrophil engraftment is defined as the first day of 2 consecutive days when ANC was > 0.5 × 109/L and platelet engraftment is defined as first of 7 consecutive days on which patient's unsupported platelet count was greater than 20× 109/L. Results: A total of 309 were included in this study, 126 (40%) patients in group-1 (69 with MM, 57 with lymphoma) and 183 (60%) in group-2 (100 with MM, 83 with lymphoma). In group-1, 73 (58%) and in group-2 130 (71%) were male patients. Median age was 59 (29-74) years in group 1 and 58 (24-76) years in group-2. Patients in group 1 received a median of 3.65 (1.1-8.7) versus 4.37 (1.1-9.54) CD34+ x106/kg in group 2 (P =0.005). Median time to neutrophil engraftment was 12 (95% CI 12, 12) for group-1 and 14 (95% CI; 13-14) for group-2 (Kaplan Meier analysis; log rank P < 0.0001). Median estimated time to platelet engraftment was 14 days (95% CI; 13, 15) for group 1 and 13 days (95% CI; 13-13) for group 2 (Kaplan Meier analysis; log rank P 0.007). In group-1 98 (78%) patients developed febrile episodes compared to 117(64%) in group-2 (P = 0.009). Median duration of fever was 2 days (range, 1-8) in group-1 compared to 1 day (range, 1-8) in group-2 (P = 0.0003). The median (range) duration of hospital stay was 7 (1-40) days for group-1 compared to 8 (2-56) days for group-2 (P=NS). There was no significant difference in mortality between these two groups. Conclusion: Routine use of granulocyte growth factors is associated with a shorter time to neutrophil engraftment, but associated with a delay in platelet engraftment. The longer time to neutrophil engraftment without growth factor use does not translate into any increase in frequency of febrile episodes. On the contrary, higher number of febrile days is seen with use of growth factors, likely explained on the basis of drug fever. No difference in the frequency of engraftment syndrome or treatment related mortality was seen. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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