Turkey real-life data: demographic features, treatment results and effects of comorbidities in chronic myeloid leukemia.

AIM: This study aimed to identify patient characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes and to evaluate the effects of presence of comorbidities at diagnosis in chronic phase (CP)-chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in Turkey.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Hospital records between 2005 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: Of 861 CP-CML patients included, 31% had at least one comorbidity at diagnosis. Sex, cardiovascular disease status at diagnosis and molecular (at least major) and cytogenetic (partial and complete) responses were the independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION: The response rates of CP-CML patients to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors were satisfactory. In addition to tolerability and side effect profiles of drugs, comorbidity status of patients should also be considered in treatment choice in CML patients.