Clinico-Hematological Profile of Patients with B-Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia in Pakistan

Background: Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) is not an uncommon hematological malignancy whichprimarily affects elderly individuals. It is more common in developed world than in developing countries. Therational of this study was to determine the clinico-hematological profile in Pakistan. Materials and
Methods: Inthis prospective cross sectional study, sixty patients with CLL were enrolled from January 2011 to June 2013.Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.
Results: The mean age was 59.0±9.2 years (range 40-82) and the maleto female ratio was 2.1:1. Peak age group was 60-70 years (38.3%) and 18.3% were under 50 years old. Majorcomplaints were weakness (51.7%), fever (18.3%) and abdominal discomfort (13.3%). Main clinical findingswere splenomegaly (46.6%), lymphadenopathy (36.6%) and pallor (26.7%). Some 16.7% were diagnosedincidentally. The mean hemoglobin was 10.8±2.4 g/dl, with a total leukocyte count of 91.5±87.8x109/l and platelets197.8±103.2x109/l. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 26.7% and 21.7% of cases, respectively. HighLDH and hyperuricemia were detected in 15% each and elevated serum creatinine was seen in 11.6%. Accordingto Rai staging 11.6% were in stage 0, 13.3% stage 1, 26.7% each for stage II and stage III while 21.7% patientswere in stage IV.
Conclusions: CLL in our patients in Pakistan, unlike in the West, is seen in a relatively youngpopulation with male predominance. Primarily disease is of B- cell origin and about 2/3 of the patients presentat advanced stage.