Determination of Sarcopenia Risk and Related Factors in Pediatric Oncological Patients

March 23, 2022 updated by: FİLİZ TUNA, Trakya University

In children, both malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with prolongation of hospital stay, increased morbidity, mortality, and health-related complications. While the decrease in muscle strength refers to "probable sarcopenia", "sarcopenia" is confirmed by adding the decrease in muscle quantity/quality to this situation. In case all three criteria are together, "severe sarcopenia" is mentioned. The aim of this study is the evaluate whether there is a difference in the risk of sarcopenia and related factors in pediatric oncological children compared to healthy controls matched for body mass index group, physical activity level group, sex, and age.

Our research was planned as cross-sectional and descriptive research. Patients diagnosed with pediatric oncologic cancer will be included. Demographic data, malnutrition, the risk for sarcopenia, physical activity status, smartphone addiction, fatigue, and hospital anxiety and depression will be evaluated with questionnaires.

Muscle strength (manual muscle strength assessment), Muscle quantity (the bilateral calf circumference with a tape measure and by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)), and physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery) will be evaluated by the physiotherapist.

The data of the research will be evaluated with the SPSS package program. After examining the conformity of the data that can be measured in statistical evaluations to a normal distribution with a single sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test, one-way analysis of variance will be applied for comparisons between groups for those with normal distribution, and t-test for independent groups. Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance and Mann Whitney U test will be used in the evaluation of data that do not conform to the normal distribution. Pearson χ2 and Yates corrected Pearson χ2 test Fisher's exact χ2 will be used for qualitative data. As descriptive statistics, numbers and percentages will be given for categorical data, and Median (Min-Max) values and arithmetic mean±standard deviation will be given for quantitative data. For all statistics, the limit of significance will be chosen as bidirectional p<0.05.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Detailed Description

As incidence and survival, rates increase in childhood and adolescent cancers, the importance of rehabilitation in this area increases (1-5). Functional limitations in the physical and cognitive domains are reported by children throughout the continuum of cancer care. These limitations are also experienced in very young children under 4 years of age with leukemia and lymphoma, adolescents and young adults struggling with leukemia, sarcoma, or central nervous system tumors (3, 6). Studies in adults who have won the childhood malignancy struggle report adulthood problems. Among these problems, deterioration of physical function, decrease in physical fitness, deterioration of neurocognition, fatigue, and pain, which affect their employment, participation in the life, and quality of life, are reported (2, 5, 7, 8). The roles of rehabilitation professionals, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and physiotherapists in the childhood cancer population are particularly emphasized in the literature to prevent these limitations (1).

Malnutrition in children with chronic diseases is a common condition that causes problems in patient care. Sarcopenia or decreased musculoskeletal muscle mass contributes to the alteration of muscle function. This has been demonstrated in adults with chronic disease, but its impact on clinical outcomes in children has not been adequately described in the pediatric literature. Research in this area is affected by the lack of a uniform definition of sarcopenia in children. However, there is concern that childhood sarcopenia may have a long-term negative impact on growth, neurocognitive development, and quality of life-extending into adulthood. The similarities between sarcopenia and malnutrition are depleted lean muscle mass, changes in muscle function, and suboptimal food intake leading to nutritional deficiencies. In pediatric patients, this leads to growth failure and a potential neurodevelopmental delay in cognition, gross and fine motor development.

In children, both malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with prolongation of hospital stay, increased morbidity, mortality, and health-related complications (3).

In adult oncological patients (over 18 years of age), the risk of sarcopenia, which is stated to predict malnutrition, is reported to be 40% (9).

As the investigators mentioned before, there is no single definition of sarcopenia with strict rules in childhood sarcopenia. However, in the 2019 European update, three criteria are emphasized in the diagnosis of sarcopenia for elderly individuals. These criteria are:

  • decrease in muscle strength,
  • decrease in muscle quantity or quality, and
  • is stated as a decrease in physical performance. While the decrease in muscle strength refers to "probable sarcopenia", "sarcopenia" is confirmed by adding the decrease in muscle quantity/quality to this situation. In case all three criteria are together, "severe sarcopenia" is mentioned. The same update raises "red flags" in screening for sarcopenia. These red flags include: general weakness, visual loss of muscle mass, decreased muscle strength of the arms or legs, slow walking speed, fatigue, falls, loss of weight, loss of energy, and difficulty performing activities of daily living (10). Therefore, current research aims to question these criteria and the existence of red flags in the pediatric population.

Whether a sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity due to the disease contributes to the development of sarcopenia (11).

Smartphone addiction is suggested as one of the causes of physical inactivity. Therefore, our study, it is aimed to evaluate both situations.

Physical fitness is the ability to correctly and successfully perform occupational, recreational, and daily activities without fatigue.

It includes two main components: health-related physical fitness (body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility) and performance-related physical fitness (balance, coordination, reaction time, agility, speed, and power). In the current study, pediatric oncology will be evaluated in both patient and control participants.

In future directions for body composition assessments in pediatric oncological cases, "determining the prevalence and clinical significance of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, which are potentially modifiable risk factors, will improve current understanding of the patient's nutritional status, assist in the early identification of those at greatest risk for adverse outcomes, and assist clinicians in their treatment plans. It will enable them to optimize and improve their effects" (12). Further research in this area could lead to improving and customizing chemotherapy dose, optimizing the timing of nutritional and physiotherapy supportive care interventions, and increasing tolerance to both traditional and new treatments. Therefore, progress in this area may have a long-term impact on the patient's quality of life and successful transition to survival (13).

Purpose of the research:

It aims to answer the question of whether there is a difference in the risk of sarcopenia and related factors in pediatric oncological children compared to healthy controls matched for body mass index group, physical activity level group, sex, and age.

Benefits and contributions of the research to science and society:

In the light of the information obtained as a result of the research, a window of opportunity will be provided for the rehabilitation service for the prevention of possible complications that may develop based on the sarcopenia status and related factors in pediatric oncological children, and it is anticipated that this will benefit science and the society.

Current research was planned as cross-sectional and descriptive research. Patients diagnosed with pediatric oncologic cancer will be included. Demographic data, malnutrition, the risk for sarcopenia, physical activity status, smartphone addiction, fatigue, and hospital anxiety and depression will be evaluated with questionnaires.

Muscle strength (manual muscle strength assessment), Muscle quantity (the bilateral calf circumference with a tape measure and by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)), and physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery) will be evaluated by the physiotherapist.

The data of the research will be evaluated with the SPSS package program. After examining the conformity of the data that can be measured in statistical evaluations to a normal distribution with a single sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test, one-way analysis of variance will be applied for comparisons between groups for those with normal distribution, and t-test for independent groups. Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance and Mann Whitney U test will be used in the evaluation of data that do not conform to the normal distribution. Pearson χ2 and Yates corrected Pearson χ2 test Fisher's exact χ2 will be used for qualitative data. As descriptive statistics, numbers and percentages will be given for categorical data, and Median (Min-Max) values and arithmetic mean±standard deviation will be given for quantitative data. For all statistics, the limit of significance will be chosen as bidirectional p<0.05.

When the literature on the subject of our study was examined, in the study of Lurz et al., computed tomography images of children aged 0-18 were compared by reviewing healthy pediatric trauma victims. In this retrospective study, 23 patients and 46 healthy controls were included. Considering this study and since it was calculated that 26 patients from each group should be included in the power analysis, in our study where muscle strength, muscle quantity/quality, and physical performance parameters will be compared, 30 patients between the ages of 2-18 with and without the pediatric oncological disease (probable case It is planned to include the child (taking into account the losses of the child).

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

60

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey
      • Edirne, Turkey, 22030
        • Trakya University Medical Faculty

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

2 years to 18 years (ADULT, CHILD)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants, who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria, with ages between 2 and 18 years will be selected from Trakya University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Oncology outpatient polyclinic and clinic and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation polyclinic and clinic.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Be between the ages of 2-18 years
  • Being under pediatric oncology outpatient/clinical follow-up
  • Being able to stand unaided without using a cane/walker

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having any of the diagnoses of hypertension, any cardiac arrhythmia-conduction disorders, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, COPD, pulmonary infection, active infection.
  • Depression Illness that causes balance problems
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Presence of disease that prevents standing up with support.
  • Presence of diseases that may cause muscle mass loss (cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disease, congenital metabolic disorder, brain damage) mental retardation
  • Children with a severe emotional disorder, adjustment disorder
  • Physical disability to prevent safe and appropriate testing
  • Having used anti-flu medicine in the last 1 week
  • Failure to obtain consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
oncologic

Be between the ages of 2-18 years Being under pediatric oncology outpatient/clinical follow-up Being able to stand unaided without using a cane/walker Exclusion criteria; Having any of the diagnoses of hypertension, any cardiac arrhythmia-conduction disorders, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, COPD, pulmonary infection, active infection.

Depression Illness that causes balance problems Peripheral vascular disease Presence of disease that prevents standing up with support Presence of diseases that may cause muscle mass loss (cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disease, congenital metabolic disorder, brain damage) mental retardation Children with a severe emotional disorder, adjustment disorder Physical disability to prevent safe and appropriate testing Having used anti-flu medicine in the last 1 week Failure to obtain consent
control

Be between the ages of 2-18 years Exclusion criteria; Having any of the diagnoses of hypertension, any cardiac arrhythmia-conduction disorders, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, COPD, pulmonary infection, active infection.

Depression Illness that causes balance problems Peripheral vascular disease Presence of disease that prevents standing up with support Presence of diseases that may cause muscle mass loss (cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disease, congenital metabolic disorder, brain damage) mental retardation Children with a severe emotional disorder, adjustment disorder Physical disability to prevent safe and appropriate testing Having used anti-flu medicine in the last 1 week Failure to obtain consent

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Muscle quantity.
Time Frame: Seven months
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been explored for estimation of total or Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass (ASM). BIA equipment does not measure muscle mass directly, but instead derives an estimate of muscle mass based on whole-body electrical conductivity. BIA uses a conversion equation that is calibrated with a reference of DXA-measured lean mass in a specific population. BIA equipment is affordable, widely available, and portable, especially single-frequency instruments. Muscle quantity will be determined by measuring the bilateral calf circumference with a tape measure and by BIA, which is considered one of the main standard tools for sarcopenia case-finding in clinical practice. Whole-body skeletal muscle mass (SMM) or Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) predicted by BIA.
Seven months
Physical performance
Time Frame: Seven months
Physical performance will be determined by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The SPPB is a composite test that includes assessment of gait speed, a balance test, and a chair stand test.
Seven months
Muscle strength.
Time Frame: Seven months
Upper extremities (manual muscle strength assessment), the lower extremities will be evaluated (by manual muscle strength assessment and chair rise test). The chair stand test (also called chair rise test) can be used as a proxy for strength of leg muscles (quadriceps muscle group). The chair stand test measures the amount of time needed for a patient to rise five times from a seated position without using his or her arms; the timed chair stand test is a variation that counts how many times a patient can rise and sit in the chair over a 30-second interval. Since the chair stand test requires both strength and endurance, this test is a qualified but convenient measure of strength.
Seven months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Symptoms or signs of sarcopenia
Time Frame: Seven months
"Red flags of sarcopenia" with a "family-oriented questionnaire"
Seven months
The presence of malnutrition
Time Frame: Seven months
The presence of malnutrition will be evaluated with the Simple Pediatric Nutrition Screening questionnaire.
Seven months
Physical activity for parent
Time Frame: Seven months
• Short Form International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Parent
Seven months
Physical activity for preschool children and school-age children and adolescents
Time Frame: Seven months
• Physical activity for preschool children and school-age children and adolescents
Seven months
Physical activity for elementary 4-8th grades
Time Frame: Seven months
• Physical activity scale (elementary 4-8th grades)
Seven months
Smartphone Addiction
Time Frame: Seven months
Smartphone Addiction (Parent and Child Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Form). The cut-off point is 29.5 for the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. When the score is greater than 29.50, the participant is determined as smartphone-addicted.
Seven months
Childhood cancer fatigue
Time Frame: Seven months
-Childhood cancer fatigue scale administered to mothers (• Child fatigue scale parent form (weekly)) The minimum and maximum scores are 17 and 85, respectively. An increase in score indicates an increase in fatigue.
Seven months
Depression status
Time Frame: Seven months
Depression status will be assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale. The cut-off point is 10 for the anxiety subscale and 7 for the depression subscale.
Seven months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Trakya University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (ACTUAL)

October 4, 2021

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

September 15, 2022

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

September 15, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 22, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 23, 2022

First Posted (ACTUAL)

March 24, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

March 24, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 23, 2022

Last Verified

March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TÜTF-BAEK 2021/389

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Sarcopenia

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Slovakia

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe