Imatinib Induced Thyroid Dysfunction in BCR::ABL1 Positive Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Patients: Sokal Score as a...

Thyroid dysfunction has been reported as an adverse effect of imatinib mesylate. However, the risk factors associated with this adverse effect in CML patients have not been elucidated. We investigated the baseline parameters (Age, BCR::ABL1 ratio, Sokal, Hasford, and EUTO scores) of the CML patients as predictors of thyroid dysfunction. This longitudinal study included 50 Imatinib naïve CML patients. Serum TSH, fT3, and fT4 were done for each subject at recruitment and 1, 3, and 6 months on Imatinib. These patients were classified into CML1(patients who remained euthyroid) and CML2(patients with thyroid dysfunction). The relationship of these parameters with the serum TSH and the difference between the two groups were determined. Thyroid dysfunction was observed in 7 patients (6 females and 1 male) at 6 months only. The mean ± SD of the PCV, Sokal score and Hasford scores of the two groups (CML1 vs. CML 2) were (28.67±5.54 vs24.00 ± 4.80 t=2.121, p-value=0.039*), (0.94±0.31vs1.25 ± 0.6 t=-2.061, p-value=0.045*) and (927.09±488.17vs1426.25±630.45 t=-2.410, p-value=0.020*) respectively. Serum TSH correlated positively with Sokal score (r=0.399,p-value=0.039*) and BCR::ABL1(r=0.311,p-value =0.028*). This study has identified high Sokal score and BCR::ABL1 transcript ratio at diagnosis as predictors of imatinib-induced thyroid dysfunction.