951 - In-Hospital Functional Characterization in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Retrospective, observational, single-cohort study. Inclusion: patients ≥18 years with hematologic malignancy, hospitalized and referred to physical medicine and rehabilitation over a 4-month period. Exclusion: clinically unstable patients or those unable to complete the evaluation. Assessment tools included the Karnofsky Performance Status (global function), Mini-Mental State Examination (cognitive function), Jamar dynamometer (handgrip strength), coin rotation test (fine motor skills), anthropometric measures (weight, height, calf circumference), and right quadriceps ultrasound thickness to calculate the Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR).

Results: Seventeen patients were evaluated (9 men, 8 women): 5 with multiple myeloma (29.4%), 6 with leukemia (35.2%), and 6 with lymphoma (35.2%). Mean age: 63.5 ± 17.5 years; BMI: 23.3 ± 3.7 kg/m². Common findings included reduced handgrip strength, impaired fine motor skills, and mild functional dependence. Differential patterns by diagnosis included greater impairment of fine motor skills and overall function in multiple myeloma; decreased handgrip strength in leukemia and lymphoma; and gross motor impact reflected by the STAR index in lymphoma.

Conclusions: This study use a brief, objective functional assessment protocol to comprehensively characterize hospitalized patients with hematologic cancer. Findings support the early integration of oncologic rehabilitation to optimize interventions from the acute phase. Systematic functional characterization is a key step toward establishing individualized care pathways