Aplastic anaemia in the Northern Region 1971-1978 and follow-up of long term survivors

An attempt has been made to identify and review everyone who was admitted to hospital in the Northern Region between the years 1971 and 1978, and was diagnosed as having aplastic anaemia. The hospital activity analysis scheme was used as the source of the patients. Of the 537 cases recorded, the notes of 404 (75%) were traced and reviewed. We considered that 230 (57%) had been mis-classified. The incidence of aplastic anaemia was fairly constant with an average of 25 cases per year. Prognosis in the 174 cases of aplastic anaemia remaining was found to be poor with a 5-year survival of 39%. Mortality was similar in cases with an apparent cause, and those without. A follow up study of 27 long term (greater than 3 years) survivors is also reported. Seventeen (63%) had normal blood counts. There was very poor correlation between anterior iliac crest trephine findings and peripheral blood count.