Weight gain during treatment course of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological malignancies affects treatment outcome

Abstract

Background aims: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective treatment for patients with hematological malignancies; however, allo-HSCT does not come without the cost of treatmentrelated morbidity and mortality. Early detection of risk factors could be helpful in identifying patients who could benefit from early interventions. Many patients gain weight during the allo-HSCT treatment, although little is known about the impact of weight gain. Methods: Weight gain in 146 consecutively enrolled adult patients undergoing allo-HSCT was explored. Results: In total, 141 patients (97%) gained weight along the course of allo-HSCT. Median weight increase was 4.8 kg (range 0.016.1 kg), with median increase in body weight 6.5% (range 0.0%30.8%). Maximum weight increase was observed at day +7 (range day 8, +44). Weight gain was associated with increased incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease. Patients with weight gain >10% had a significantly greater 5-year mortality compared with those with lower weight gain (P = 0.031, rank sum test). Conclusions: Weight gain is a simple variable with the ability to provide prognostic information for patients undergoing allo-HSCT.