Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42171801›Full record

Observational studySupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

Association between total corticosteroid dose and reduced fast-twitch rectus femoris muscle fibers after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Nobuyoshi Nishikado, Tatsushi Wakasugi, Katsuji Kaida, Atsushi Umeji, Koichiro Sota, Daiki Takemura, Kyohei Sugano, Kazuki Eimoto, Naoki Sasanuma, Kyoko Yoshihara and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
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In one paragraph

Observational study in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Nobuyoshi NishikadoDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Tatsushi WakasugiDepartment of Physical Therapy, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care, Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan.
Katsuji KaidaDepartment of Hematology, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Atsushi UmejiDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Koichiro SotaDepartment of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Daiki TakemuraDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Kyohei SuganoDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Kazuki EimotoDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Naoki SasanumaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Kyoko YoshiharaDepartment of Hematology, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Satoshi YoshiharaDepartment of Hematology, Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan.
Yuki UchiyamaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan. yutti@hyo-med.ac.jp.
Kazuhisa DomenDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for hematologic diseases. However, corticosteroids used to manage graft-versus-host disease can induce muscle weakness, particularly affecting fast-twitch fibers. The objective of this study was to examine the association between the total corticosteroid dose and the decline in fast-twitch muscle fibers, estimated using surface electromyography (sEMG), as well as to evaluate its impact on muscle strength and physical performance.

methodsThis prospective observational study included 53 adult patients from a single center in Japan. sEMG of the rectus femoris was performed before and after HSCT to calculate the median frequency (MF), a noninvasive marker of fast-twitch fiber proportion. Additional physical function assessments included isometric knee and hip flexion strength, handgrip strength, body weight, thigh circumference, 30-s chair stand test, and maximum walking speed. Correlations between total corticosteroid dose and changes in each variable were analyzed.

resultsForty-two patients completed both the pre- and post-HSCT assessments. MF, muscle strength, body weight, thigh circumference, 30-s chair stand test performance, and maximum walking speed exhibited significant reductions (all p < 0.01). The total corticosteroid dose negatively correlated with changes in MF (rs = -0.32), hip flexion strength (rs = -0.43), thigh circumference (rs = -0.32 to -0.40), and 30-s chair stand test performance (rs = -0.45).

conclusionsA higher total corticosteroid dose after HSCT may lead to a reduced proportion of fast-twitch fibers, which could be associated with impairments in muscle strength and function.

Indexed as

Adrenal Cortex HormonesHematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationMuscle Fibers, Fast-TwitchQuadriceps MuscleAdultAgedDose-Response Relationship, DrugElectromyographyFemaleHumansJapanMaleMiddle AgedMuscle StrengthMuscle WeaknessProspective StudiesAdrenal Cortex HormonesCorticosteroidsFast-twitch fibersHematopoietic stem cell transplantationMuscle weaknessSurface electromyography

Identifiers

PMID42171801

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.