Musculoskeletal Health in adult haematological cancer survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Musculoskeletal Health in Adult Haematological cancer survivors study - a mixed methods study
IRAS ID
276414
Contact name
Claire E Higham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Over the past 40 years, early detection and treatment advances caused significant improvement to survival in haematological cancer (lymphoma and leukaemia) patients. For haematological cancer survivors, the focus of survival during treatment shifts to care of long-term consequences of cancer and treatment. Research studies are required to help understand and describe these consequences so we can develop clinical guidelines to aid personalised stratified follow up care to minimise these consequences and impact to survivors.
One of these long-term consequences relate to musculoskeletal health. These are that occur in the musculoskeletal system affecting our bones, muscles and joints after cancer diagnosis. A recent survey conducted by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust indicated that bone and joint problems are the most prevalent consequences reported by long-term lymphoma survivors (>5 years).
There has been some evidence in the literature evidence showing that bone and muscle loss may occur in haematological cancer survivors. The majority of evidence is in childhood cancer survivors although there are some more recent publications in adult haematological cancer survivors. Haematological cancer treatment often includes use of high dose glucocorticoids (steroids), chemotherapy and radiotherapy and current evidence suggests that these patients may have lower bone mineral density after treatment when compared to the general population which can predispose them to increased risk of fragility fractures. Evidence of the impact of these musculoskeletal burden to patients (e.g. quality of life) are not available.
This study aims to describe musculoskeletal complications experienced by long-term haematological cancer survivors and examine the impact of the burden from the patient perspective. The study will be conducted in 2 parts; a questionnaire study and an interview study to help understand the extent of musculoskeletal problems experienced by this group of patients and the impact of this on quality of life.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0093
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion