Clinical Epidemiology (Oct 2016)
The Danish National Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Registry
Abstract
Caspar da Cunha-Bang,1 Christian Hartmann Geisler,2 Lisbeth Enggaard,3 Christian Bjørn Poulsen,4 Peter de Nully Brown,2 Henrik Frederiksen,5 Olav Jonas Bergmann,6 Elisa Jacobsen Pulczynski,7 Robert Schou Pedersen,8 Linda Højberg Nielsen,9 Ilse Christiansen,10 Carsten Utoft Niemann2 1Department of Internal Medicine, Roskilde Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark; 2Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 3Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark; 4Department of Hematology, Roskilde Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark; 5Department of Hematology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; 6Department of Hematology, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; 7Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; 8Department of Hematology, Holstebro Hospital, Holstebro, Denmark; 9Department of Hematology, Esbjerg Hospital, Esbjerg, Denmark; 10Department of Hematology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark Aim: In 2008, the Danish National Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Registry was founded within the Danish National Hematology Database. The primary aim of the registry is to assure quality of diagnosis and care of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Denmark. Secondarily, to evaluate adherence to national guidelines and to provide source data for research purposes. Study population: All patients diagnosed with CLL in Denmark from 2008 onward are included in the registry. Patients are followed in one of nine hematology centers. All centers participate in the registry and are all obliged to collect data. Main variables: Predefined data are collected at the time of diagnosis, and follow-up at the time of significant events: treatment, progression, transplantation, and death. Parameters included in the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia criteria for diagnosis, and for decision on treatment initiation as well as characteristics included in the CLL International Prognostic Index are collected. Descriptive data: To ensure full coverage of Danish CLL patients in the registry, both continuous queries in case of missing data, and cross-referencing with the Danish National Patient Registry are performed. Data from the registry are published in an annual report summarizing the collected data, the overall survival for yearly cohorts, and the degree of data coverage. Per year approximately 450 new patients with CLL are registered in the registry, cumulative as of July 1, 2015, 3,082 patients have been registered. Conclusion: The Danish National CLL Registry is based within the Danish National Hematology Database. The registry covers a cohort of all patients diagnosed with CLL in Denmark since 2008. It forms the basis for quality assessment of CLL treatment in Denmark and offers a unique opportunity for population-based research. Keywords: CLL, population based, epidemiology, targeted treatment, survival, comorbidity
