A comparative retrospective study of pre-fibrotic primary myelofibrosis versus overtly fibrotic stage in Qatar: clinicopathological, genetic landscape, risk stratification and survival data (2008-2021) - a single center experience.

Abstract

Background: In MENA region, there is a lack of evidence on Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), leading to its underrepresentation in medical literature. This study marks the first comprehensive report on PMF data in Qatar, presenting findings from a single-center study spanning 13 years (2008-2021).

Methods: Clinicopathological data, genetic features, and disease progression parameters of pre-PMF and overt PMF subgroups were collected. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), DIPSS plus four categories and merged low and high-risk DIPSS scoring groups were assessed.

Results: Pre-PMF patients showed higher hemoglobin (P < 0.001), and platelet counts (P < 0.05) but lower blast counts, LDH levels, constitutional symptoms (P < 0.0001), and splenomegaly (P < 0.010) than overt PMF patients. JAK2 V617F mutation was more common in pre-PMF (P = 0.059), while unfavorable karyotypes were exclusive to overt PMF (P = 0.028). Median overall survival was significantly longer at 276.9 months (IQR: 315.9, 276.9 months) to what was previously reported. Overt PMF patients predominantly fell into the higher DIPSS risk category (P < 0.001) and showed greater disease progression than pre-PMF (P < 0.0001). Complications including refractory anaemia (P < 0.001) and leukemic transformation (P = 0.043), increased notably in the high-risk group. Furthermore, 86.2% of high-risk patients required treatment versus 59.4% of the lower-risk group (P = 0.020).

Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge our research represents the first and largest published dataset on PMF in MENA region to be published. Merged DIPSS plus scoring came to be a pragmatic tool for defining high-risk patients who significantly differ in mortality, progression, need for treatment and leukemic transformation.