Impact of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in childhood and adolescence on quality of adulthood life: A case–control study

Abstract

Background Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is associated with late complications that can impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients for years after transplant. The purpose of the present study was to determine the difference in the QoL of adults that underwent allo‐HSCT in childhood and adolescence compared with not transplanted adults. Methods In this prospective case–control cross‐sectional study, we included patients aged ≥18 years that received an allo‐HSCT during childhood or adolescence and subsequently survived at least 2 years after transplantation. The control group consisted of blood donors matched for age and sex. QoL assessment was performed using the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) Health Survey, Portuguese version 2. Results Thirty‐four transplanted patients and controls were included. 58.8% were male, and the median age at transplant was 13.5 years (range, 4–17 years). The median follow‐up was 11.5 years (range, 2.0–23.0 years). The most common late effect was skeletally followed by endocrine complications. Patients with these late complications had the worst QOL in the following dimensions: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, and mental health. When compared to the control group, patients had a lower score in two dimensions: physical functioning and role physical. Conclusions Although skeletal and endocrine complications of transplant patients in childhood have an impact on physical functioning, most parameters of QoL of these patients in adulthood are similar to healthy individuals of the same age and gender. Early detection and long‐term monitoring of late complications can prevent impairment of the QoL.