Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
Treating AML: Does Facility Type Matter?
Am J Hematol; ePub 2017 Jun 1; Bhatt, et al
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received their initial therapy at academic centers experienced lower short-term mortality and better long-term overall survival, according to an analysis involving nearly 61,000 individuals.
Participants were initially treated between 2003 and 2011 at academic or nonacademic centers. Investigators compared 1-month mortality and long-term overall survival. Among the results:
- Patients treated at academic centers averaged 62 years of age; average age of those seen at nonacademic centers was 70.
- The academic center group comprised more ethnic minorities, as well as those with a lower level of education.
- They also had a lower comorbidity score; a different income and insurance profile; and tended to receive chemotherapy and transplant more often.
- 1-month mortality among patients treated at academic centers was 16%, vs 29% in the group treated at nonacademic centers.
- 5-year overall survival was 25% and 15%, respectively.
The authors called for further research to uncover the underlying reasons for the disparity.
Bhatt V, Shostrom V, Giri S, et al. Early mortality and overall survival of acute myeloid leukemia based on facility type. [Published online ahead of print June 1, 2017]. Am J Hematol. doi:10.1002/ajh.24767.
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