Prevalence of Risk Categories in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Patients in Chronic Phase According to Sokal Score at a Tertiary Care Centre in Multan

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk categories (low, intermediate, and high) in newly diagnosed CML patients in the chronic phase using Sokal score-based risk stratification at Nishtar Medical University, Multan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at hematology department of Nishater Hospital, Multan over six months from 1^st February 2025 to 30^th July 2025. Study enrolled 166 newly diagnosed CML-CP patients aged 16–60 years via non-probability consecutive sampling. Demographic data, clinical parameters including spleen size by ultrasonography, and laboratory values (WBC count, platelet count, haemoglobin, basophils) were recorded.

Results: The Sokal score was calculated and patients were stratified into low (score <0.8), intermediate (0.8–1.2), and high risk (>1.2) categories. Of 166 patients, 97 (58.4%) were male and 69 (41.6%) were female with a mean age of 38.7±14.2 years. Based on Sokal score stratification, 89 patients (53.6%) were in the high-risk category, 58 patients (34.9%) in the intermediate-risk category, and 19 patients (11.4%) in the low-risk category.

Conclusion: High Sokal score was significantly associated with higher WBC count, larger spleen size, and longer disease duration before presentation (p<0.05). The majority of newly diagnosed CML patients presenting to this centre had high Sokal risk scores, underscoring the importance of early accurate risk stratification to guide frontline TKI therapy selection.