Physical Deteriorations in Allo-HSCT.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a prevalent curative treatment approach for a large variety of diseases affecting hematopoietic systems. More than 50.000 HSCT are implemented all over the world annually. Despite having complex aspect, allogeneic-HSCT also serves as an important chance of survival and cure for patients with hematological malignancies. Allogeneic-HSCT recipients have at least 2-year survival rate, yet long term complications such as chronic health conditions, life-threatening diseases, musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary disorders may occur in recipients following HSCT due to general state of immunosuppression and medications. Besides pulmonary complications existed in 30-50% of HSCT recipients, pulmonary infiltrates especially after allogeneic HSCT is an ongoing challenge for recipients. All toxic treatments received to cure hematological malignancies including HSCT and various complications seen after HSCT may induce muscle weakness, decreased submaximal exercise capacity and oxygen consumption via impaired skeletal muscle oxygenation in most allogeneic-HSCT long-term survivors. Therefore, European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group recommends that allied health-care professionals should take part in team for a successful dynamic process of allogeneic-HSCT.

Limited number of studies reported impairments in exercise capacity, physical activity and quality of life in allogeneic-HSCT recipients. However it is not known that to what extent dyspnea, exercise capacity, physical activity and quality of life impair in allogeneic recipients who were over 100 days status post transplantation versus age-gender matched healthy individuals so far. Therefore aspiration of current study was comparison of dyspnea, submaximal exercise capacity, physical activity level and quality of life in allogeneic-HSCT recipients with healthy individuals.

Inclusion criteria

for recipients:

• between ages of 18 and 70
• under standard medical treatment including immunosuppressive, antibiotics and other drugs
• underwent allogeneic HSCT who were at minimum 100 days status post-transplantation

Exclusion criteria

for recipients:

• having cognitive disorder, orthopedic or neurological disease with a potential to affect assessment of exercise capacity,
• having comorbidities such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory or other infections,
• having problems like visual and mucositis which may prevent measurements,
• acute hemorrhage anywhere in the body,
• hemoglobin value less than 8 g/L and platelet count less than 10.000 mm3

Inclusion criteria

for healthy individuals:

• being 18-70 years of age
• being individuals without known and diagnosed any chronic diseases

Exclusion criteria

for healthy individuals:

• being current smokers
• being ex-smokers (≥5 packyears).