Incidence of clozapine-induced hematological side effects in a Tunisian population

Abstract

Introduction

Clozapine is commonly associated with adverse hematological outcomes. However, incidence of blood dyscrasias in the north African population is scarce.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of hematological side effects in a Tunisian sample of clozapine treated patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal chart review of 64 patients on clozapine enrolled in our clozapine consultation between January 1, 2000 and September 2020.

Results

Our sample consisted of 15 women (23.5%) and 49 men (76.5%), mean age was 41.34 ±9.32 years. Patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia in 70.3% of the cases, 7 (10.9%) had a bipolar disorder and 12 (18.8%) had a schizoaffective disorder.We found blood dyscrasias in 21 patients (32.8%). Hematological abnormalities were as follow: 2 cases of agranulocytosis, 8 cases of neutropenia, 13 cases of thrombocytopenia, 5 cases of leukocytosis, 5 cases of eosinophilia and 3 cases of anemia. The incidence rate of hematological side effects was 0.1 case/year- person. The mean clozapine dose at the time of onset of the hematological side effect was 309.52 mg/day(range 25-600 mg/day).The median duration of clozapine treatment prior to developing hematological side effects was 119.71±126.52 days.Clozapine discontinuation was decided in 11 cases due to hematological side effects and reintroduced in 9 cases after normalization of blood count.

Conclusions

This study emphasis on the importance of a regular long-term monitoring of blood count to ensure early detection of hematological side effects.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.