The haematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index score is predictive of early death and survival in patients over 60 years of age receiving induction therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.

The haematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCTCI) predicts nonrelapse mortality and overall survival (OS) post-stem cell transplantation. HCTCI scores were assessed in 177 patients over 60 years of age receiving acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) induction therapy. HCTCI score was 0 in 22% of patients, 1-2 in 30%, and > or =3 in 48%. In patients with scores of 0, 1-2, or > or =3, early death rates were 3%, 11% and 29% (P < 0.001) respectively; median OS was 45, 31 and 19 weeks (P = 0.04) respectively. The HCTCI score is predictive of early death rates and OS in older patients receiving AML induction therapy.