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Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in the Bloemfontein academic hospitals
T Nel1, G Joubert, E van der Ryst
1Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Insights
This study analyzed 185 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients in Bloemfontein, finding that while Black patients presented with more advanced disease, overall outcomes mirrored global trends. Treatment response was observed in over 80% of patients receiving therapy.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common hematologic malignancy.
- Understanding the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CLL patients is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Bloemfontein's academic hospitals over a 21-year period.
- To specifically analyze the characteristics and disease course of Black patients with CLL.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using clinical records of CLL patients diagnosed between 1975 and 1996.
- Data analyzed included patient demographics, disease presentation, stage at diagnosis, treatment modalities, and response to therapy.
Main Results:
- A total of 185 CLL patients were studied, with a mean age of 63 years; 86% were over 50.
- Black patients more frequently presented with advanced disease and higher lymphocyte counts compared to White patients.
- A positive response to therapy was observed in 82.5% of treated patients, with 32.2% achieving complete or partial remission.
Conclusions:
- The clinical presentation of CLL in Bloemfontein is consistent with international findings.
- This study provides valuable insights into CLL in a significant cohort of Black patients, noting similar disease progression despite younger age at presentation and high-risk disease.
Objective:
To study the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in the Bloemfontein academic hospitals during the past 21 years.
Design:
Descriptive, retrospective study of clinical records of all CLL patients diagnosed at the Haematology clinics of the Universitas and Pelonomi Hospitals in Bloemfontein from 1975 to 1996.
Methods:
Age, sex and race distribution of CLL patients were analysed. The peripheral blood, bone marrow, clinical presentation and stage at time of diagnosis, were studied. Treatment modalities, response to treatment and survival of patients were also analysed. Categorical variables were summarised by frequencies and percentages, and numerical variables by means of percentiles. Subgroup comparisons were done by 95% confidence intervals (CI) for differences in percentages, medians or means.
Results:
A total of 185 CLL patients were studied. There were more males (62.7%) than females and the mean age of the patients was 63 years (19 to 98 years). Eighty six percent of the patients were older than 50 years. Racial distribution was as follow: 106 White, 77 Black and two patients of mixed race. Black patients more often presented with advanced disease and higher lymphocyte counts. A response to therapy was noted for 118 (82.5%) of the 143 patients who received treatment. A complete remission or partial response was noted for 38 (32.2%) of the patients.
Conclusions:
The presentation of CLL in the Bloemfontein academic hospitals is similar to what is seen world-wide. This is the first study describing CLL in a large number of Black patients and demonstrates that although Black patients presented more often at a younger age and had high risk disease, their clinical course and progression according to stage, also correlated with what is described in the literature.