Characteristics of Patients with Childhood Leukemia in the Hospital and the Contribution of Physiotherapy: a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Leukemias are characterized by the presence of immature cells in the bloodstream derived from tumor cells in the bone marrow which replace healthy blood cells. It is possible to visualize, in children with leukemia, physical-motor and respiratory changes, such as muscle weakness, fatigue and reduced lung function. Physiotherapy prevents cancer complications, with a biopsychosocial approach provided for in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Objective: Evaluate the characteristics of children diagnosed with leukemia, the contribution of physiotherapy and investigate the use of ICF. Method: Retrospective descriptive survey of the charts of 76 children diagnosed with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a Tertiary Hospital in Curitiba, between 2015 and 2018. Results: The patient’s mean age was 6.75±4.17 years; 89.5% (n=68) of the diagnostics were ALL, 5.3% (n=4), AML, and 5.3% (n=4), both. Most of the patients, 67.1% (n=51), lived in Curitiba-PR and in the metropolitan region; 63.2% (n=48) used the public health system to ensure access to the hospital and 36.8% (n=28) used other ways. Of the 76 medical charts analyzed, only 14.4% (n=11) registered physical therapy and no record of the use of the biopsychosocial model proposed by the ICF was found. Conclusion: Despite the availability of physiotherapy at the hospital, a standard of assessment, diagnosis and physiotherapy prescription was not identified, as well as the main neuropsychomotor disorders of children with leukemia.