Aerobic physical capacity and health-related quality of life in children with sickle cell disease

Abstract

Background: Aerobic fitness is a predictor of cardiovascular health which correlates with health-related quality of life in the general population. The aim is to evaluate the aerobic capacity by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in children with sickle cell disease in comparison with healthy matched controls. Methods: Controlled cross-sectional study. Results: A total of 72 children (24 with sickle cell disease and 48 healthy controls), aged 6–17 years old were enrolled. Children with sickle cell disease had a poor aerobic capacity, with median VO2max Z-score values significantly lower than matched controls (−3.55[−4.68; −2.02] vs. 0.25[−0.22; 0.66], P < 0.01, respectively), and a high proportion of 92% children affected by an impaired aerobic capacity (VO2max Z-score