Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting
ABSTRACT Background and Aims Little research has been conducted on the epidemiology of leukemia in Eritrea. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the burden and trends of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic...
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2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70203 |
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| author | Daniel Mebrahtu Abraha Samuel Tekle Mengistu Efriem Ghirmay Eden Gebresilassie Ghirmay Embaye Zerat Rahwa Kokob Asmeret Tesfazghi Solomon Negash Tsega Daniel Salih Mohammed Oliver Okoth Achila |
| author_facet | Daniel Mebrahtu Abraha Samuel Tekle Mengistu Efriem Ghirmay Eden Gebresilassie Ghirmay Embaye Zerat Rahwa Kokob Asmeret Tesfazghi Solomon Negash Tsega Daniel Salih Mohammed Oliver Okoth Achila |
| author_sort | Daniel Mebrahtu Abraha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Background and Aims Little research has been conducted on the epidemiology of leukemia in Eritrea. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the burden and trends of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and overall leukemia in Eritrea. Methods and Results An audit of leukemia cases recorded in laboratory logbooks at the National Health Laboratory and Orotta Referral and Teaching Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 was performed. In addition to leukemia subtypes, variables such as age, sex, and year of incidence were retrieved. Relevant estimates assessed included crude incidence rates (CIR), age‐standardized rates (ASIR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). In total, 372 confirmed cases of leukemia were recorded between 2010 and 2020. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age, maximum–minimum age, and male‐to‐female ratio were as follows: 48 years (24.5–60 years), 2–91 years, and 210:161 (1.3:1), respectively. The estimated all‐age CIR and ASIR over the study period were 9.22 per 100,000 and 30.1 per 100,000, respectively. Analysis of cumulative (2010–2020) CIR per 100,000 (ASIR per 100 000) for ALL, AML, CLL, and CML were as follows: 2.01 (3.87); 0.94 (2.38); 2.94 (15.37); and 3.61 (24.03). Additionally, the median (IQR) age differed significantly across leukemia subtypes: ALL (23.0 years, IQR: 10.0–39.0); AML (30 years, IQR: 20–56 years); CLL (59.0 years, IQR: 40.75–66.75 years); and CML (49 years, IQR: 39.25–60 years), p value (Kruskal–Wallis) < 0.05. The proportion of leukemia types did not differ significantly between males and females. Unlike other leukemia subtypes, the evaluation of ALL's EAPC demonstrated that the incidence of leukemia increased over time, 21.9 (95% CI: 3.1–44.1), p value = 0.025. Conclusions The burden of leukemia in Eritrea remained relatively stable. However, due to underreporting and underdiagnosis, we believe the true burden of leukemia is likely higher. Furthermore, an upward trend in the burden of ALL was observed. Lastly, expanding diagnostic services to other sub‐zones, establishing a national cancer registry, and prioritizing research remain critical in Eritrea. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1a1ced5c8658483d8a7ba7eb912265c5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2573-8348 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Cancer Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-1a1ced5c8658483d8a7ba7eb912265c52025-08-20T02:22:02ZengWileyCancer Reports2573-83482025-06-0186n/an/a10.1002/cnr2.70203Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource SettingDaniel Mebrahtu Abraha0Samuel Tekle Mengistu1Efriem Ghirmay2Eden Gebresilassie3Ghirmay Embaye Zerat4Rahwa Kokob5Asmeret Tesfazghi6Solomon Negash7Tsega Daniel8Salih Mohammed9Oliver Okoth Achila10Hematology National Health Laboratory Asmara EritreaNakfa Hospital Ministry of Health, Northern Red Sea Branch Nakfa EritreaQuality Control National Food and Medicine Administration Asmara EritreaHematology National Health Laboratory Asmara EritreaHematology National Health Laboratory Asmara EritreaHematology Orotta National Referral Hospital Asmara EritreaHematology Orotta National Referral Hospital Asmara EritreaHematology Orotta National Referral Hospital Asmara EritreaHematology National Health Laboratory Asmara EritreaHematology National Health Laboratory Asmara EritreaUnit of Clinical Laboratory Science Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences Asmara EritreaABSTRACT Background and Aims Little research has been conducted on the epidemiology of leukemia in Eritrea. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the burden and trends of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and overall leukemia in Eritrea. Methods and Results An audit of leukemia cases recorded in laboratory logbooks at the National Health Laboratory and Orotta Referral and Teaching Hospital between January 2010 and December 2020 was performed. In addition to leukemia subtypes, variables such as age, sex, and year of incidence were retrieved. Relevant estimates assessed included crude incidence rates (CIR), age‐standardized rates (ASIR), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). In total, 372 confirmed cases of leukemia were recorded between 2010 and 2020. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age, maximum–minimum age, and male‐to‐female ratio were as follows: 48 years (24.5–60 years), 2–91 years, and 210:161 (1.3:1), respectively. The estimated all‐age CIR and ASIR over the study period were 9.22 per 100,000 and 30.1 per 100,000, respectively. Analysis of cumulative (2010–2020) CIR per 100,000 (ASIR per 100 000) for ALL, AML, CLL, and CML were as follows: 2.01 (3.87); 0.94 (2.38); 2.94 (15.37); and 3.61 (24.03). Additionally, the median (IQR) age differed significantly across leukemia subtypes: ALL (23.0 years, IQR: 10.0–39.0); AML (30 years, IQR: 20–56 years); CLL (59.0 years, IQR: 40.75–66.75 years); and CML (49 years, IQR: 39.25–60 years), p value (Kruskal–Wallis) < 0.05. The proportion of leukemia types did not differ significantly between males and females. Unlike other leukemia subtypes, the evaluation of ALL's EAPC demonstrated that the incidence of leukemia increased over time, 21.9 (95% CI: 3.1–44.1), p value = 0.025. Conclusions The burden of leukemia in Eritrea remained relatively stable. However, due to underreporting and underdiagnosis, we believe the true burden of leukemia is likely higher. Furthermore, an upward trend in the burden of ALL was observed. Lastly, expanding diagnostic services to other sub‐zones, establishing a national cancer registry, and prioritizing research remain critical in Eritrea.https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70203ALLAMLCLLCMLEritreahematological malignancy |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Mebrahtu Abraha Samuel Tekle Mengistu Efriem Ghirmay Eden Gebresilassie Ghirmay Embaye Zerat Rahwa Kokob Asmeret Tesfazghi Solomon Negash Tsega Daniel Salih Mohammed Oliver Okoth Achila Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting Cancer Reports ALL AML CLL CML Eritrea hematological malignancy |
| title | Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting |
| title_full | Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting |
| title_short | Unveiling the Burden of Leukemia in Eritrea (2010–2020): Chronic Leukemia Stability, Rising ALL Incidence, and the Enigma of CML in a Low‐Resource Setting |
| title_sort | unveiling the burden of leukemia in eritrea 2010 2020 chronic leukemia stability rising all incidence and the enigma of cml in a low resource setting |
| topic | ALL AML CLL CML Eritrea hematological malignancy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.70203 |
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