Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received their initial therapy at academic centers experienced lower short-term mortality and better long-term overall survival, according to an analysis involving nearly 61,000 individuals.

Participants were initially treated between 2003 and 2011 at academic or nonacademic centers. Investigators compared 1-month mortality and long-term overall survival. Among the results:

• Patients treated at academic centers averaged 62 years of age; average age of those seen at nonacademic centers was 70.
• The academic center group comprised more ethnic minorities, as well as those with a lower level of education.
• They also had a lower comorbidity score; a different income and insurance profile; and tended to receive chemotherapy and transplant more often.
• 1-month mortality among patients treated at academic centers was 16%, vs 29% in the group treated at nonacademic centers.
• 5-year overall survival was 25% and 15%, respectively.

The authors called for further research to uncover the underlying reasons for the disparity.