Objective: To determine the factors affecting the first 100 days of survival in acute leukaemia patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT).
Study design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from March 2016 to February 2022.
Methodology: Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in complete remission (CR) undergoing Allo-HSCT were included. Data were collected on patient demographics, diagnosis, remission status, pre-transplant analysis, donor compatibility, conditioning regimen, GVHD prophylaxis, engraftment times, post-transplant complications, mortality causes, and overall survival (OS) at 100 days.
Results: Among 101 transplant recipients (mean age of 24 ± 11.05 years; n = 76 males, n = 25 females), 41 had AML and 60 had ALL. Ninety patients underwent matched sibling donor (MSD)-HSCT, while 11 had haplo-identical sibling-HSCT. Patients ≤13 years had higher survival rates than older patients (94.4% vs. 67.5%, p = 0.03). High pre-transplant serum ferritin levels (>2500 mg/dl) predicted lower OS (48.9% vs. 100% in ferritin <1000 mg/dl, p <0.01). AML patients had a survival advantage over ALL patients (82.9% vs. 65%, p = 0.05). Early neutrophil engraftment within 14 days correlated with better survival (96.4% vs. 54.3%, p <0.01). Lastly, severe mucositis also adversely affected survival (60% in Grade III vs. 9.5% in Grade IV, p <0.01).
Conclusion: Identifying modifiable factors can improve long-term support and follow-up, enhancing the patient outcomes in underdeveloped nations.
Key words: Haematopoietic stem cell transplant, Day + 100 survival, Acute leukaemia, Pakistan.