The Prevalence and Characteristics of Anemia Among Newly-Diagnosed Patients with Leukemia in Saudi Arabia

Anemia in patients with leukemia results in poor quality of life (QOL) and increased risk of complications from chemotherapy. We aimed to identify the prevalence and characteristics of anemia among newly-diagnosed patients with acute and chronic leukemia.

A retrospective cohort included all patients diagnosed with leukemia at King Faisal Medical Complex in Taif City, Saudia Aribia, from 2019 through 2023.

From 49 patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, 57% were males, and 40.8% were more than 60 years old. The prevalence of anemia was 83.6%. The mean hemoglobin level was 9.7 ± 3 g/dL. Furthermore, 36.7% had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 36.7% had chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 22.5% had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), while only 2% had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 2% had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The most common type of anemia was normocytic normochromic anemia (55.6%), followed by macrocytic hyperchromic anemia (24.4%). All patients diagnosed with AML, ALL, CML, or NHL had anemia at time of diagnosis. However, the prevalence of anemia among patients diagnosed with CLL was 55%.

Anemia is highly prevalent among patients with leukemia at time of diagnosis. Early identification and correction are crucial to improve QOL and reduce complications from chemotherapy.