Objectives:

It has been suggested that the incidence of aplastic anemia may be extraordinarily high in the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) region of Vietnam. The survey was designed to provide an accurate figure.

Methods:

All hospitals in the HCMC region (population, 4.7 million) were monitored at frequent intervals to identify cases. Biopsy specimens and laboratory results were obtained to allow for the confirmation of the diagnoses according to the criteria of the IAAAS. In addition, some information on possible risk factors (e.g., solvent exposure) was obtained to allow for the qualitative evaluation of the cases.

Results:

Census figures were used to provide the denominators for incidence rates, overall and according to age and sex. Among males the annual incidence was shown to be approximately five cases per million, similar to that in Thailand, where it is about twice as high as in Europe.

Investigators:

David W. Kaufman, Sc.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Neal S. Young, M.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Tran Van Be, M.D., Co-Principal Investigator

Source of funding:

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Study Period:

March 1994 - December 1996