Early-onset Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Southern Nigeria: Demographic and Hematological Features from a Ten-Year Retrospective Cohort
Ndudi Dibigbo-Ibeaji *
College of Medicine, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Sylvia Ifeoma Obu
Molecular/Research Laboratory, Centre for Disease Control and Research, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria.
Solomon Omiken Okoro
Department of Public Health, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria.
Samuel Okwuchukwu Ilikannu
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Nigeria.
Gabriel Obisike Obu
Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma, Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Nigeria.
Ibuaku, James Chukwunenye
Department of Family Medicine Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is diagnosed a decade or more later in Western populations than in African populations, but the features of early-onset disease are poorly characterised in sub-Saharan Africa. We describe the demographic and haematological profile of early-onset CML (<35 years) in a ten-year hospital cohort from Southern Nigeria.
Methods: Thirty-five patients with CML aged 26-39 years were analysed. The age distribution was characterised in detail; demographic and haematological variables were compared across age bands (26-29, 30-34, ≥35 years) using Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests; and logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with early-onset (<35 years) presentation.
Results: The median age was 30 years (IQR 28-32; mode 28), and 88.6% of patients were younger than 35 years. Baseline parameters did not differ significantly across age bands, although PCV tended to be lower in patients ≥35 years (19.2% vs 24.2% in those aged 30-34; p = 0.054). Anaemia (97.1%), leucocytosis (85.7%) and thrombocytopenia (60.0%) were similarly distributed across age bands (all p > 0.15). No measured variable was significantly associated with presentation before 35 years of age. The cohort's median age of 30 years contrasts with reported median ages of 60–65 years in some other registries.
Conclusion: Within this age-restricted Southern Nigerian cohort, most patients were younger than 35 years and haematological abnormalities were common across age bands. Whether this pattern reflects population demography or distinct disease biology requires prospective, population-based investigation.
Keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia, early onset, young adults, age at diagnosis, anaemia, Nigeria