Article

The aim of this study was to compare functional outcomes in asthenic
patients with hematologic malignancies with those of asthenic patients with solid
tumors after inpatient rehabilitation. We hypothesized that asthenic patients
with hematologic malignancies are less likely than patients with solid tumors to
make functional improvement after rehabilitation. DESIGN: : The records of 60
asthenic cancer patients (30 consecutive patients with solid tumors and 30
consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies) who underwent inpatient
rehabilitation at a comprehensive cancer center between October 2005 and October
2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with focal neurologic deficits were
excluded. All patients admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit received 3
hrs of more of therapy per weekday. The main outcomes included total, motor, and
cognitive Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, hospital and
rehabilitation length of stay, and FIM efficiency. RESULTS: : The mean total FIM
score significantly improved in patients with solid tumors (mean, 15; range, -6
to 38) and in patients with hematologic malignancies (mean, 17; range, -3 to 27);
however, between-group differences in FIM scores were not significant (P = 0.31).
The solid tumor patients were significantly older than the hematologic malignancy
patients (71 +/- 11 vs. 64 +/- 12 yrs; P = 0.02), but the mean rehabilitation
lengths of stay were the same for each group (9.5 days; P = 0.82). The mean FIM
efficiency in the hematologic malignancy group was higher than that of the solid
tumor group (1.9 vs.1.4; P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: : Asthenic patients with solid
tumors or hematologic malignancies could benefit from inpatient rehabilitation
and make significant functional gain.

Langue : ANGLAIS