Prevalence and Clinical Profiles of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Among Patients Admitted to the Hematology Ward of St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College In 2024–2025.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a severe hematologic malignancy with rising global incidence nearly doubling since 1990 and posing significant challenges, especially in resource limited settings like Ethiopia. while hematological malignancies, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia, are prevalent in Africa, comprehensive data remains limited, particularly in Ethiopia. Despite its growing burden, specific localized data on its prevalence and clinical profiles is lacking, hindering effective patient management and resource allocation. This research aims to bridge this critical knowledge gap, providing essential data to inform evidence-based practices and improve patient care. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and clinical profiles of Acute Myeloid Leukemia among patients admitted to Hematology ward of St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College between January 2024 and December 2025. Methods: A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to the hematology ward of St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Patients were selected from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and data was systematically extracted from the medical records of all patients admitted to the hematology ward from January 2024 to December 2025. A standardized record review checklist was utilized to collect socio-demographic and clinical information from the Electronic Medical Record. Data processing and analysis were performed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics to summarize the sociodemographic, prevalence and clinical characteristics of the study population. Results: A total of 82 complete patient records were analyzed, among which 31 cases were confirmed as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, yielding an overall prevalence of 37.8%. The mean age of AML patients was 37.39 years (SD ±15.83), with the majority (64.5%) falling within the 20–49 age group. A slight female predominance (58.1%) was observed, and 58.1% of the patients originated from rural areas. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were anemia-related symptoms, specifically light-headedness/blurring of vision (90.3%), easy fatigability (83.9%), and pallor (83.9%). Other significant findings included nasal or gum bleeding (51.6%), fever (48.4%), and anorexia (45.2%). Conclusion: Acute Myeloid Leukemia represented a substantial clinical burden at SPHMMC, with a prevalence exceeding many previously reported regional estimates. The disease predominantly affects young to middle-aged adults and typically presents with advanced symptoms of bone marrow failure, highlighting potential delays in diagnosis and healthcare seeking. These results underscore the urgent necessity for strengthening early detection strategies and expanding specialized hematologic care facilities to improve patient management and outcomes in Ethiopia. Keywords: Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Prevalence, Clinical Profiles, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ethiopia.