Myelofibrosis in Western Australia: an epidemiological study of 29 cases

Survival figures and other epidemiological features are described for 29 patients with myelofibrosis living in Western Australia during the period 1959 to 1963. These patients form part of a larger series of 509 patients with leukaemia and allied disorders. The diagnostic incidence rate was found to be 0.5 per 100,000 population, the mortality rate was 0.4 per 100,000 and the prevalence 1.8 per 100,000. Comparison with related myeloproliferative disorders shows that myelofibrosis occurs somewhat less frequently than chronic granulocytic leukaemia and considerably less so than polycythaemia vera. The sex ratio indicates a small male preponderance and the age distribution is similar to that in other descriptions. Survival times for all patients accord with those reported in the literature, but this series showed a marked female advantage in survival. Findings in other series are described.