The effect of DM on the acute toxicities of RT/CRT was investigated.
METHODS
1892 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Acute toxicities were evaluated weekly during Radiotherapy
(RT)/Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and follow ups were performed after 1 and 3 months
according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. The patients were divided into those without
diabetes mellitus (DM) (Group 1, n=1557 82%) and patients with DM (Group 2, n=335 18%).
RESULTS
There was a difference between the groups in terms of gender (p<0.001), median age (p<0.001), diagnosis
(p=0.023), adjuvant (p=0.023), and concurrent (p=0.047) chemotherapy. Grade 3-4 skin (p=0.001),
Grade 1-2 lower gis (lower gastrointestinal system [GIS], p<0.001), and Grade 1-2 gus toxicities (GUS,
p=0.012) were all observed more in Group 2; the time for which skin toxicity occurred was earlier
in Group 2 (p=0.002). Grade 1-2 white blood cells (p=0.027) and Grade 1-2 hemoglobin toxicities
(p=0.033) were observed more in Group 1. Hypertension coexisted in 206 patients (61% of the DM
group), and blood glucose was not regulated in 256 patients (76%). In DM patients, the toxicity of grade
3-4 skin (p<0.001) and grade 1-2 lower GIS (<0.001) was higher if hypertension coexisted, while grade
1-2 lower GIS (p=0.029) was higher in DM patients whose blood glucose was not regulated.
CONCLUSION
In this study, it was observed that DM negatively affected acute toxicity of RT/CRT, and having hypertension
and lack of regulation of blood glucose contributed to this negativity.