Leukaemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and trend in the
pattern of adult leukaemia over a period of 15 years in Benin City,
Nigeria. The case records of 253 cases that attended the University of
Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria from 1990-2004 with a
diagnosis of leukaemia were analyzed. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
was the more frequent variety (27.7%), followed by chronic lymphocytic
leukaemia (CLL) and prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) with equal
proportions of 21.3% each. Time trend analysis by 5-year calendar
periods revealed an increasing number and incidence of patients with
leukaemia. There was also an increased incidence of leukaemia among the
youths (21-40years) whereas that of the older patients (61-70years) has
decreased. There was a statistically significant association between
age and number of leukaemia cases at presentation for the various years
(P = 0.023). A positive correlation with a significant linear trend was
also obtained (r = 0.3507; P = 0.0048) such that there was a
predominance of young patients (21-40 years) in latter years
(2000-2004) compared to a decline in the older patients (> 60 years)
for the period studied. There was increased incidence of leukaemia
especially among the younger age groups