Prevalence of Different Types of Leukemia and Associated Factors among Children in Children's Cancer Units at Al-Kuwait Hospital, Sana'a City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Leukemia is a heterogeneous group of hematological disorders that is made up of several diverse and biologically distinct subgroups. Leukemia is the 11th and10th most common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide, respectively. There are insufficient data on the prevalence and associated factors of leukemia in Yemen, particularly in the study area. Aims: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of different types of leukemia and associated factors among children with leukemia in the pediatric cancer units of Al-Kuwait Hospital, Sana'a City. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on children with leukemia who were treated selectively in the pediatric leukemia units of Kuwait University Hospital in Sana'a. Group diagnostics and histopathological diagnoses were formed in line with the French, American and British classifications of leukemia in children in the pediatric leukemia units, over a period of 5 years. Factors associated with become infected with leukemia that were studied included ages, gender, and regarding outcomes. The association of death and recovery with different age groups and leukemia types was also studied through rates and calculation of OR, CI, chi-square test and p values ​​through probability tables. Results: 244 leukemia patients were diagnosed, treated and followed; there was association of leukemia with younger age group; 50% were in the age group 1-5 years and with mean ± SD age= 6.44 ± 3.7 years. There was significant association with male gender (66.7%). There was non-significant association between high mortality and the 6-10 year age group [(8/78; 10.2%), with OR = 2.6, p = 0.060, and with the AML [(4/38; 10.5%), OR = 2.1)]. Considering, the cure rates association with ages, roughly there were similar cure rates occurred in the different age groups. Also, there was high cure rate in the JCM (2/3; 66%), with OR = 2.9. And with the CML (7/11; 63.6%; OR = 2.60. Conclusion: In the current study an association between leukemia and younger age group, with males was found. An association between high mortality and the 6-10 year age group, with AML was found. Also, there was no association between ages and cure rate but a high cure rate occurred with JCM and CML.