Epidemiological Features of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Five Regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Population Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the main epidemiological characteristics of AML (morbidity, survival, distribution by AML variants and age groups) in 5 regions participating in the study. Methods: This stat study was conducted on patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 5 regions of Kazakhstan, from January 2017 to December 2020. Compared with self-assessment of acute myeloid leukemia using a questionnaire, postoperative histopathology in patients with suspected acute myeloid leukemia. The questionnaire, compiled by artificial intelligence, is grouped into categories “risk” and “no risk”. Statistical processing and analysis of data was carried out using the analytical package SAS 9.4. Methods of reporting statistics, standardization of morbidity were used. Result: According to the standardized morbidity indicators obtained (from 1.39 to 2.43 per 100 thousand population), we can say that the registered incidence of AML remains low. This value practically does not differ from the incidence of AML (2.71) according to the Kazakhstan Cancer Registry for 2016 and is significantly lower than the data of European and American registries (4-5 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants per year). Conclusion: This study identified specific areas with a high risk of acute myeloid leukemia in Eastern Kazakhstan, as well as spatial inequality in their distribution with the formation of this disease. These results can be useful in developing any strategy for responding to a high risk of cancer in specific areas.