iarjmsIARJMSIARJMS2708-3594https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjms.2021.v02i01.042Survey of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cases Reported in the Medical City in Baghdad through the Years 2005-2011SalamHammadHusienAttaaKayan Ahmed HazimAl-ZubaidiM. B. Ch. B. MSC-Haematopathology, Ministry of Health, Department of Health Al-Anbar, Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Al-Anbar, IraqM. B. Ch. B., Ministry of Health, Baghdad Medical office Al-Karkh, Baghdad, IraqBackground: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous haematological malignancy characterized by the proliferation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow, typically exceeding 20-30% blasts. According to the French-American-British (FAB) classification, AML is divided into eight subtypes (M0-M7) based on morphological and cytochemical features. This study aimed to evaluate alterations in complete blood count (CBC) parameters in adult AML patients and to analyse the distribution patterns of FAB subtypes over time. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 521 adult patients diagnosed with AML and admitted to Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, between January 2000 and December 2011. After excluding 53 cases due to relapse, age below 15 years, incomplete data, prior haematological disorders or unclassified AML, 468 patients were included in the final analysis. Clinical history, physical examination findings and laboratory investigations were documented. Diagnostic evaluation included CBC, differential white blood cell count, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow examination with blast percentage estimation and special cytochemical stains to confirm AML subtype classification. Results: Among the 468 patients, the most frequent subtype was AML-M3 (28.2%), followed by M2 (26.3%), M1 (19.7%), M5 (15%), M4 (7.9%), M6 (1.9%) and M7 (1%). AML was most prevalent in the 15-24-year age group, with a gradual decline in frequency in older age groups. The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1:1.05, indicating no significant gender predominance. Haematological findings revealed anaemia (haemoglobin <30%) in 95.7% of patients, leukopenia in 59.8% and thrombocytopenia (<150×10⁹/L) in 94.7%. Peripheral blood blasts were detected in 78% of cases, while Auer rods were present in 32.3%. Cytochemical staining (Sudan Black B) was positive in 85.6% of cases. A notable increase in AML incidence was observed in 2011, accounting for 20.5% of total cases during the study period. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that AML-M3 and AML-M2 were the predominant subtypes in this cohort. Haematological abnormalities, particularly anaemia and thrombocytopenia, were highly prevalent. Not all patients exhibited circulating blasts, highlighting the importance of bone marrow examination for definitive diagnosis. The study underscores the need for advanced diagnostic modalities, including immunophenotyping and molecular genetic analysis, to improve classification accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, prompt management of cytopenias and infection risk remains essential due to the high likelihood of severe infections and bleeding complications in AML patients.