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Clinico-hematological profile of patients with B-chronic lymphoid leukemia in Pakistan
Rozina Zeeshan1, Sadia Sultan, Syed Muhammad Irfan
1Hematology Department, Hematology and Blood Bank, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
Insights
This study reveals that Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL) in Pakistan affects a younger demographic, predominantly males, differing from Western populations. Many patients present with advanced-stage disease.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL) is a hematological malignancy more prevalent in developed nations, typically affecting the elderly.
- Understanding the clinico-hematological profile of CLL in Pakistan is crucial due to potential demographic differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinico-hematological profile of Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL) patients in Pakistan.
- To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of CLL in the Pakistani population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cross-sectional study involving sixty CLL patients.
- Data collected from January 2011 to June 2013 and analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Main Results:
- The average age of patients was 59.0±9.2 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.1:1. A significant proportion (18.3%) were under 50.
- Common symptoms included weakness (51.7%), splenomegaly (46.6%), and lymphadenopathy (36.6%). Anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 26.7% and 21.7% of cases, respectively.
- Rai staging indicated advanced disease, with 26.7% in Stage II/III and 21.7% in Stage IV.
Conclusions:
- CLL in Pakistan presents in a relatively younger population compared to Western countries, with a male predominance.
- The majority of patients (approximately 2/3) are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease.
- The disease is primarily of B-cell origin.
Background:
Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) is not an uncommon hematological malignancy which primarily affects elderly individuals. It is more common in developed world than in developing countries. The rational of this study was to determine the clinico-hematological profile in Pakistan.
Materials And Methods:
In this prospective cross sectional study, sixty patients with CLL were enrolled from January 2011 to June 2013. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.
Results:
The mean age was 59.0±9.2 years (range 40-82) and the male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Peak age group was 60-70 years (38.3%) and 18.3% were under 50 years old. Major complaints were weakness (51.7%), fever (18.3%) and abdominal discomfort (13.3%). Main clinical findings were splenomegaly (46.6%), lymphadenopathy (36.6%) and pallor (26.7%). Some 16.7% were diagnosed incidentally. The mean hemoglobin was 10.8±2.4 g/dl, with a total leukocyte count of 91.5±87.8x10(9)/l and platelets 197.8±103.2x10(9)/l. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 26.7% and 21.7% of cases, respectively. High LDH and hyperuricemia were detected in 15% each and elevated serum creatinine was seen in 11.6%. According to Rai staging 11.6% were in stage 0, 13.3% stage 1, 26.7% each for stage II and stage III while 21.7% patients were in stage IV.
Conclusions:
CLL in our patients in Pakistan, unlike in the West, is seen in a relatively young population with male predominance. Primarily disease is of B- cell origin and about 2/3 of the patients present at advanced stage.
