Body Composition Change, Unhealthy Lifestyles and Steroid Treatment as Predictor of Metabolic Risk in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivors

Abstract

Unhealthy lifestyle, as sedentary, unbalanced diet, smoking, and body composition change are often observed in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) survivors, and could be determinant for the onset of cancer treatment-induced metabolic syndrome (CTIMetS), including abdominal obesity, sarcopenia, and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess whether changes in body composition, unhealthy lifestyles and types of anti-cancer treatment could increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and sarcopenia in long-term NHL survivors. We enrolled 60 consecutive NHL patients in continuous remission for at least 3 years. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry-plicometry, and a questionnaire concerning lifestyles and eating habits was administered. More than 60% of survivors exhibited weight gain and a change in body composition, with an increased risk of MetSyn. Univariate analysis showed a significantly higher risk of metabolic disorder in patients treated with steroids, and in patients with unhealthy lifestyles. These data suggest that a nutritional intervention, associated with adequate physical activity and a healthier lifestyle, should be indicated early during the follow-up of lymphoma patients, in order to decrease the risk of MetSyn’s onset and correlated diseases in the long term.