Alteraciones de la función pulmonar tras el trasplante de progenitores hematopoyéticos

Abstract

To evaluate lung function abnormalities in children who underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to compare these abnormalities between autologous and allogenic transplantation. Prospective observational study from 1996 to 2005. Ninety-three children receiving HSCT, 47 autologous and 46 allogenic, were included. Lung function tests were performed before transplantation and at 2, 6, 12 and 24 months afterwards. The following indices were determined: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO). Paired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis of data. Before HSCT, 6.8% of the children had FEV1<80%, 1% FEV1/FVC<80%, 7.8% TLC<80% and 13.5% DLCO<70%. At 2 months, FEV1/FVC, TLC and DLCO were significantly reduced, when compared to pre-transplantation values (p=0.05, 0.011 and p<0.001, respectively). Lung function gradually improved from 6 months post-transplantation, but did not reach pre-transplantation values at 24 months. No significant differences were found when comparing allogenic and autologous transplantation, apart from a lower FEV1/FVC value at 6 months (p=0.02) in the first group. An important proportion of children who undergo HSCT have early pulmonary abnormalities (at 2 and 6 months after transplantation) with partial recovery at 24 months.