Excessive annual BMI increase after chemotherapy among young survivors of testicular cancer
2003

BMI Increase After Chemotherapy in Testicular Cancer Survivors

Sample size: 444 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Nord C, Fosså S D, Egeland T

Primary Institution: University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH), Oslo, Norway

Hypothesis

Is there an abnormal BMI increase among long-term testicular cancer survivors compared to a control group of age-matched men from the normal population?

Conclusion

Testicular cancer survivors show an abnormal increase in BMI after treatment, particularly those treated with chemotherapy at a young age.

Supporting Evidence

  • Testicular cancer survivors have a higher annual BMI increase compared to controls.
  • Young age at diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of abnormal BMI increase.
  • Chemotherapy is an independent factor predicting high annual BMI increase.

Takeaway

Young men who survive testicular cancer might gain more weight after treatment, especially if they had chemotherapy.

Methodology

A national multicentre follow-up survey was conducted on testicular cancer survivors to assess long-term sequelae after treatment, comparing BMI before and after treatment with a control group.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from differences in age and observation time between testicular cancer survivors and controls.

Limitations

The control group was older on average than the testicular cancer survivors, which may affect BMI comparisons.

Participant Demographics

Testicular cancer survivors aged 18–75 years treated between 1980 and 1994; control group consisted of age-matched men from the general population.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=1.4×10−15

Confidence Interval

95% CI for mean

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600714

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