Comparison of Hematological and Biochemical Profile Changes in Pre- and Post-Chemotherapy Treatment of Cancer Patients Attended at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia 2019: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare hematological and biochemical profile changes in pre- and post-chemotherapy among cancer patients admitted at the Oncology Unit of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (ACSH), Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 376 cancer patients admitted in the Oncology Unit at ACSH. Demographic data, hematological and biochemical profiles were collected from smart care and patient cards. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. Descriptive statistics and paired sample students T-test statistical methods were used. RESULTS: From 376 study subjects, 228 (60.6%) were females. All the hematological profiles, except lymphocyte (LYM) (P > 0.05), showed significant decrement in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy; white blood cell (WBC) (P < 0.01), red blood cell (RBC) (P < 0.01), hemoglobin (Hb) (P<0.001), hematocrit (HCT) (P < 0.05), platelet (PLT) (P < 0.001) and neutrophil (NUT) (P < 0.05). The biochemical profiles showed that blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were non-significantly decreased, urea (P > 0.05) and creatinine (CR) (P > 0.05), in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were non significantly increased, ALT (P > 0.05) and AST (P> 0. 05), in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Hematological profiles, except lymphocytes, were found significantly decreased whereas biochemical profiles, urea, and creatinine were decreased non-significantly, while AST and ALT showed non-significant increments in post-chemotherapy compared to pre-chemotherapy.