Overall survival of patients with acute myeloblastics leukaemia receiving low-dose cytarabine in AML treatment in low-income countries

ntroduction: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is both a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, limited in our context by the precarious nature of the technical facilities. The objective was to evaluate the overall survival of AML patients treated with low-dose cytarabine in the haematology department of Ignace Deen University Hospital. Methodology: This is an observational study conducted over a five-year period in the haematology department of Ignace Deen University Hospital. All patients hospitalised for AML were divided into three groups: G1: patients who received transfusion support; G2: patients who received 10 mg of cytarabine per day for 10 days; G3: patients who received 30 mg/m² of cytarabine once a week. Results: We had 65 patients divided into three treatment groups: G1 = 4.6%, G2 = 49.2% and G3 = 46.2%. The average age of the patients was 43.5 years. Men predominated, with a ratio of 1.2. All occupational categories were represented. Identified risk factors included exposure to domestic pesticides (13.8%) and herbicides (10.8%). The clinical presentation was dominated by signs of bone marrow failure (100%), followed by tumour syndrome (73.38%). A deterioration in general health was systematically observed, with 83.1% of patients classified as stage 3-4 on the physical performance index. Cytopenias were the most common findings (pancytopenia 41.5%, bicytopenia 32.3%), followed by hyperleukocytosis (20%). The mortality rate was 33.8%. Conclusion: AML is growing rapidly in our context and requires urgent treatment. Low-dose cytarabine is a suitable alternative in our context, improving patient survival and quality of life. The study shows us that we can overcome our inertia in dealing with these situations by using treatments that are better tolerated and less toxic. Keywords: Survival, acute leukaemia, haematology, Ignace Deen University Hospital, Conakry (Guinea).