The incidence of Ph-negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms in Belarus

Abstract

Introduction. Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are chronic clonal disorders characterized by the proliferation of mature cells from one or more myeloid cell lines. These disorders include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The incidence of classical Ph-negative MPN varies significantly throughout the world. These differences may be due to geographical or population features, as well as due to differences in methods of diagnosis and recording. Aim: to determine incidence of Ph-negative MPN in Belarus. Materials and methods. Data on all cases of newly diagnosed Ph-negative MPNs (PV, ET and PMF) for 2014-2018 were collected from central regional medical institutions with a hematology specialization. Population epidemiological analysis of incidence was carried out by determining crude incidence rates per 100 000 population per year with distribution by genderand age groups at diagnosis, age-standardized rates, as well as average annual percent change. Results. The overall annual standardized incidence rate of classical Ph-negative MPN in Belarus was 1.96 (1.86–2.07), PV — 0.93 (0.86–1.01), ET — 0.63 (0.57–0.70) and PMF — 0.40 (0.36–0.45) per 100 000 population per year, respectively. The overall crude incidence rate was 3.26 (3.10–3.43) per 100 000 population. The crude incidence rates increased steadily with the increase in age of patients with a peak value of 12.78 (10.97–14.81) in the age group of 70–74 years. No significant changes were revealed in the overall incidence of the MPN and for each of the studied diseases separately during the study period. Conclusion. For the first time the nationwide features of incidence of the Ph-negative MPN in Belarus were estimated, which made it possible to provide substantial information for public health management. The incidence of MPN in Belarus is generally comparable to the levels determined in the analysis of the populations of other countries.