Metabolic syndrome and symptom burden in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) improves survival of patients with hematologic malignancies. A growing responsibility exists to identify and address long-term morbidity and symptom burden. We investigated metabolic syndrome and symptom burden in adult HCT survivors.

Methods: We analzyed adults with hematologic disorders who were treated with allogeneic HCT at our institution from June 2018-November 2022. We used standard criteria for metabolic syndrome with body mass index (BMI) as a surrogate for waist circumference. We assessed symptom burden using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Survivorship Assessment. The Short Physical Performance Battery and Short Blessed Test were used to investigate physical function and cognition, respectively.

Results: A total of 152 patients were included. Median age was 61 years, 59% were male, and the most common disorder was acute myeloid leukemia (48%). 64 patients developed metabolic syndrome post-transplant. The most commonly affected symptom domains were fatigue (51%), sleep (45%), and cognitive function (42%). Additionally, 34% and 7% of patients had objectively impaired functional capacity and cognition, respectively.

Conclusion: Recipients of allogeneic HCT have a high incidence of metabolic syndrome, symptom burden, and impaired physical function.