[Which are the true incidence rates of primary hematological disorders acquired in our population?]

To define demographic and epidemiological characteristics of primary haematological disorders (PMHD) in patients referred to a haematology department in 1,240 beds general hospital.

01/94-12/94. We have performed a study in patients older than 14, to determine the age adjusted incidence rates of PHD in the assigned population: 439,279 inh (M: 210,139; F: 229,140), with a negative-vegetative growth (-1.39/10(3) inh/y). A total of 1,242 new cases was received, 302 of them were diagnosed of PHD. Epidemiological method: incidence rates (IR), age and sex adjusted incidence rates (AIR), truncated standardized incidence rates (TSIR) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

Normal distribution, descriptive and frequency distribution analysis were performed along with chi 2 test.

Demographic data: mean age (+/- SD): 63.54 y +/- 15.81; range 19-92. M/F: 177/125, males mean age 62.85 +/- 16.29, females: 64.52 +/- 15.11. The PHD distribution was: MGUS 84 cases; NHL 57; MDS 33; CLL 26; CMPD 26; MM 21; HD 14; AL 11; ITP 10; CML 9; AIHA 5; hypoplastic anaemia 3; and cryoglobulinaemia 3. AIR (cases/10(5) inhab/y): Consulting rate 261.79. The PHD incidence rate was 31.00 (M: 38.01; F: 25.51). In patients under 60 y the AIR of PMDH was 31.31 (M: 36.42, F: 26.25), and in those older than 60 y the AIR was increasing, with 178.86 (M: 247.21, F: 128.52). The AIR for subtypes was: MGUS, 8.01 (M: 3.56, F: 1.93); CLL 2.28 (M: 2.69, F: 1.95); CMPD 3.17 (M: 2.83, F: 3.51); MM 1.92 (M: 2.43, F: 1.49); HD 2.27 (M: 3.54, F: 1.04); AL 1.41 (M: 1.54, F: 1.30); ITP 1.15 (M: 1.20, F: 1.12); CML 1.09 (M: 1.19, F: 1.01); AIHA 0.61 (M: 0.55, F: 0.69); hypoplastic anaemia 0.24 (M: 0.19, F: 0.30); cryoglobulinaemia 0.34 (M: 0.55, F: 0.14).

The elderly have increased incidence of PHD. The AIR is higher in males and in older than 60 y, unless for CMPD. Most frequent PHD were MGUS and NHL.