Erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a prognostic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

In a follow-up study, survival data for 62 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), diagnosed in northern Norway from 1974 to 1982, were analysed. 10 patients not reported to the Cancer Registry had a significantly (p less than 0.05) better prognosis. In a multivariate survival analysis (Cox's model) anaemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and 4 or more regions involved at diagnosis were significant prognostic factors indicating high risk patients with short survival. ESR was also a significant prognostic factor in a multivariate survival analysis, together with the classifications of Rai (1) or Binet (2).