A Study of Haemostatic Parameters in Patients of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) is characterized by derangement of various components of the haemostatic system resulting in thrombo-haemorrhagic complications. Although less common than other myeloproliferative neoplasms, derangement of various components of the haemostatic system is observed in CML. Haemostatic abnormalities have been described in relation to hyperleucostasis and drugs used to treat CML. However, the correlation between haemostatic derangements and phase of CML is unclear in the literature.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assay various haemostatic parameters in patients of CML receiving Imatinib and to determine any correlation between them and phases of disease as well as the status of remission.

The study included 30 patients with CML (17 males, 13 females, mean age of 35.53 ± 8.92 years) receiving imatinib mesylate. Haemostatic parameters including platelet counts, Prothrombin Time (PT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), fibrinogen, D-dimers and Factor VIII levels were assayed for all patients using standard methods. Bcr-abl gene product (quantitative) was determined on the peripheral blood by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Patients were grouped into phases of disease (chronic, accelerated and blast) and their response to imatinib was determined in the form of remission (clinical, haematological and molecular). Correlations were drawn between them using spearman's coefficient.

A significant positive correlation was found between PT (p=0.002), fibrinogen (p=0.011), D-dimers (p=0.050), Factor VIII levels (p=0.006) with the phase of CML and a significant negative correlation was observed between PT (p=0.003, 0.006), fibrinogen (p=0.010, 0.005), D-dimers (p=0.035, 0.017), Factor VIII levels (p=0.005, 0.001) and clinical and haematological remission respectively. No significant correlation of platelet counts and APTT was seen with the phase of CML or remission status.

Haemostatic system is significantly disturbed in CML and correlate positively with the progression of the disease. Imatinib treatment leads to improvement in some of these parameters.