Drug-induced neutropenias in the Stockholm region 1976-1977.

Previously we reviewed the incidence and causes of drug-induced neutropenia in the Stockholm region during the years 1973-75. We here present an equivalent study for the years 1976-77. The yearly incidence of drug-induced neutropenia, cytostatics excluded, remained around 0.01%. About one half of the cases were caused by sulphonamides. Among the other causes, antithyroid drugs and phenothiazines were most frequent. The mortality rate was 27%, in contrast to only 2% in our previous study. Of the seven patiets who died, 5 had taken sulphonamides.