Clinico-pathologic features of chronic myeloid leukemia and risk stratification according to Sokal score.

Objective: To compile the clinical and haematological parameters of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and risk stratification according to Sokal score in our population.

Design: A descriptive analysis.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, during the period from August 1997 to August 2005.

Subjects And Methods: All patients with diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia treated as outpatient in haematology clinic, or admitted in haem-oncology wards in The Aga Khan University Hospital were included. Records were retrospectively analyzed for clinicopathologic features. Risk groups were assigned as per Sokal scoring.

Results: During the 8 years study period, 245 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia were analyzed, the median age of presentation was 35 years (range 11-73); with male to female ratio 1.69:1. At the time of diagnosis, 178 patients (72.6%), 48 (19.7%) and 17 (7.8%) of patients were in chronic, accelerated and blast phase of the disease respectively. Abdominal fullness was the frequent clinical presentation followed by fever. Laboratory parameters revealed mean hemoglobin 10.0 g/dl (range 4.6-15), mean total leukocyte count 168 x 10(9)/L (35-959) and mean platelets 408 x 10(9)/L (range 30-2335). The mean size of spleen at the time of presentation was 9.2 cm below the left subcostal margin. A large number of patients (46.2%) were in high risk group according to Sokal score i.e. > 1.2.

Conclusion: CML occurred more commonly at younger age in this series. Most of these patients were in high risk group according to Sokal score.