Distinctive pattern of neutrophil count change in clozapine-associated, life-threatening agranulocytosis

Abstract

The wider use of clozapine is limited by the risk of agranulocytosis and the associated requirement for monitoring of neutrophil counts. We searched local electronic patient records for cases of agranulocytosis occurring during clozapine treatment during the period 2007-2020. We found 23 episodes recorded as agranulocytosis in clozapine patients. Of these, nine met pre-defined criteria and were considered episodes of life-threatening agranulocytosis (LTA). These episodes of clozapine-induced LTA exhibited a distinct pattern of continuous and rapid neutrophil count decline to zero or near zero. Mean time for neutrophils to fall from ANC > 2 to ANC <0.5 × 10⁹/L was 8.4 days (range 2-15 days). Each event was also characterised by a prolonged nadir and delayed recovery (range 4-16 days). Non-LTA episodes were, in contrast, brief and benign. We conclude that an important proportion of cases of agranulocytosis identified in people prescribed clozapine are not life-threatening and may not even be clozapine-related. Monitoring schemes should aim to identify true clozapine-induced LTA as opposed to threshold-defined nominal agranulocytosis. Genetics studies might benefit from examining associations with clozapine-induced LTA rather than with recorded cases of agranulocytosis or neutropenia.

Fig. 1

Case selection.

Fig. 2

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 1.

Fig. 3

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 2.

Fig. 4

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 3.

Fig. 5

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 4.

Fig. 6

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 5.

Fig. 7

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 6.

Fig. 8

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 7.

Fig. 9

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 8.

Fig. 10

Neutrophil count pattern for Case 9.