Physical frailty deteriorates after a 5-day dexamethasone course in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, results of a national prospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dexamethasone is important in the treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but induces muscle atrophy with negative consequences for muscle mass, muscle strength, and functional abilities. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of a dexamethasone course on sarcopenia and physical frailty in children with ALL, and to explore prognostic factors.

Methods

Patients with ALL aged 3-18 years were included during maintenance therapy. Patients had a sarcopenia/frailty assessment on the first day of (T1) and on the day after (T2) a 5-day dexamethasone course. Sarcopenia was defined as low muscle strength in combination with low muscle mass. Prefrailty and frailty were defined as having two or ≥three of the following components, respectively: low

SUBMITTER: Verwaaijen EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10757098 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature