Cardiovascular risk factors in young adult survivors of childhood malignancies.

Abstract

138 Background: Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk of early cardiovascular (CV) diseases related to previous cancer therapy, chronic stress and unhealthy behaviors, as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in young adult survivors of childhood malignancies. Methods: Medical records of 155 adult childhood cancer survivors were analyzed to extract data on cancer treatment, demographical characteristics, family history, smoking, blood pressure (BP), lipids, fasting glucose, creatinine measured during a routine visit in our follow-up clinic for adult childhood cancer survivors. Results: The prevalence of traditional CV risk factors was high, with 55% of patients presenting with prehypertension (office systolic BP 120-139 mmHg or diastolic 80-89 mmHg) and 15,4% with hypertension (BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or ≥ 90 mmHg or being on antihypertensive drugs). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23,5% and 3,7%, respectively. A classic “atherogenic lipid profile” (28% patients with elevated total cholesterol and 27% with elevated LDL cholesterol) was more common than a dyslipidemic pattern (elevated triglycerides 11% and reduced HDL cholesterol 7,8%). Two or more CV risk factors were found in 50% of patients and only 16% did not have any of traditional risk factors. Conclusions: Major CV risk factors are common in very young adults with cancer history in the childhood and may substantially increase risk for future CV events in this population. These finding support the need for screening of adult survivors of childhood malignancy for early detection and treatment of modifiable risk factors. [Table: see text]