Azmi R, Natiq M, Khalid A.
Frequency And Clinicomorphological Features Of JAK2V617F Positive And Negative Polycythemia In A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Pakistan.
Biomedica Jan ;33(1):49-53.

Background and Objectives: Polycythemia is a disorder characterized by raised hematocrit (HCT) level of ≥ 0.49 in males and ≥ 0.48 in females1 . Although a hemoglobin (Hb) level of 16.5g/dl in males and 16g/dl in females is considered as an indication of absolute erythrocytosis, signs and symptoms related to polycythemia may be present at levels below that. WHO criteria for diagnosis of polycythaemia vera included a gain-of-function mutation JAK2V617F as the major diagnostic criteria1 . Methods: A total of 40 patients of both primary and secondary polycythaemia were included in the study. Study is carried out over a period of 2 years i.e. from Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 at Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore Pakistan. Clinicomorphological features and frequencies of different causes of polycythaemia were studied. Results: In a total of 40 patients were diagnosed as primary polycythaemia or polycythaemia Vera (PRV). JAK2V617F mutation was not detected in 12 patients. Headache, erythromelalgia were the most common symptoms present. Patients were treated with phlebotomies and cytoreductive treatments in case of PRV and phlebotomies alone in secondary polycythaemia. Conclusion: The most frequent symptoms in patients with polycythaemia were erythromelalgia, facial plethora and headaches. Patients with secondary polycythaemia should be investigated for the cause and treated accordingly.

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