Acute promyelocytic leukaemia: A central South African experience

Abstract

mortality rate was 18.5 % , and the 30-day mortality rate was 33.3 % . Sanz and modified Sanz scores were significantly associated with 7-day mortality but not 30-day mortality. Creatinine ≥ 105 µmol/L was significantly associated with both 7-and 30-day mortalities. Patients who died within the first 30 days of admission had significantly higher median white cell counts and partial thromboplastin times. Hypogranular APL was identified in 55.6 % of patients. Conclusion: The short-term mortality of APL at UAH is in keeping with findings at other treatment centres in middle-income countries. Despite being considered rare, hypogranular APL was the predominant type in this cohort. Contribution: This study highlights the need for practices pertaining to peripheral smear utility and interpretation to be reviewed outside of tertiary centres.