Purpose: To define demographic and epidemiological characteristics of primary haematological disorders (PMHD) in patients referred to a haematology department in 1,240 beds general hospital.
Period of study: 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.
Statistical method: Normal distribution, descriptive and frequency distribution analysis were performed along with chi 2 test.
Results: 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).
Remarks: 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.