Adults Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Algeria: A Study by the Algerian MDS Group

Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of haematological disorders, whose diagnosis is based mainly on cytological studies of blood and marrow cells and cytogenetic analysis. Moreover, national epidemiological data on MDS are very scarce, especially in Maghreb countries where the population is on average younger than in Europe or the USA. The objective of the present study was to describe demographic and clinical features and the overall survival of patients with MDS in Algeria. Materials and Methods: This study is retrospective and national multicenter (n=19 centres), performed between 2014 to 2019. The evaluation was performed using EPI-INFO and SPSS version 21 software. Survival data were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison of survival curves using the Log Rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis of survival was performed using the Cox regression method. The study has been approved by the Ethical and Scientific Council of the participating hospitals. The closing date of the study is 31/12/2019. Results: A total of 670 patients with newly diagnosed MDS have been identified. The average number of new cases was 112/year, with an annual progression rate of 19%. Demographics show a slight female predominance (M/F of 317/353=0, 89; sex ratio F/M=1.11). The median follow-up was 29,3 months (range, 1 to 77 months). The overall median age was 69 years (range 16-96). The crude mean annual incidence rate was 0, 38 per 100,000 inhabitants aged ≥15 years old and it was 0, 17/100,000 in men and 0, 21/100,000 in women. Overall survival was 39 months. According to the IPSS score, the high-risk forms are low and their overall survival was 15 months. The rate of transformation into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is 32%. Conclusion: This national epidemiological survey shows an annual progression rate of 19% and an increase in incidence from 0.007/100.000 in 2005 to 0.45/100.000 in 2019.