Clinico-Hematological Profile of Acute Leukemia Cases in Bihar: A Multiparameter Study in a Tertiary-Care Hospital.

The actual incidence and demographic profile of hematological malignancies are unknown in Bihar because of lack of population-based cancer registry (PBCR) data and specialized tertiary cancer center facilities. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, clinico-hematological profile and subtyping of acute leukemia cases by retrospective medical records.  A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Hematology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India, over 2 years from July 2019 to June 2021. A total of 176 cases with relevant clinical features and hematological findings were involved in the study. Medical records were studied and data were retrieved.  Data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 25.  A total of 176 cases with relevant clinical features and hematological findings were involved in the study. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was most prevalent (52.8%), followed by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (34.1%) and unclassified acute leukemia cases (13.1%). Flow cytometry correlation was available in 150 cases. The ratio of males (62.5%) to females (37.5%) is 1.6:1. There was statistically significant difference in physical examination findings between AML and ALL patients. Splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and sternal tenderness were more often seen in ALL than in AML patients (  < 0.05). Pallor was more significantly associated with AML than with ALL patients (  < 0.05). Anemia and leucocytosis were found to be significantly associated with acute leukemia patients (  < 0.000).  AML M2 was the most common subtype of AML, and B-ALL was the most common subtype of ALL cases.