Analysis of patients with erythrocytosis in a single center: comparison between polycythemia vera and non-polycythemia vera

We analyzed the clinical features and complications of patients with erythrocytosis, to find differences according to subtypes. The data of patients with erythrocytosis, who were diagnosed at Hallym Medical Center between January 2007 and March 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 89 erythrocytosis patients, 38 with polycythemia vera (PV) and 51 with non-PV, were enrolled. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of disease prevalence, age, sex, smoking history, body mass index, cell counts, LAP score, erythropoietin, and total cholesterol. Among 38 patients who were diagnosed as PV, both bone marrow examinations and JAK2 mutation analysis were performed in 32 patients. The remaining PV patients were evaluated with a genetic analysis only (n=3) or marrow examinations only (n=3). Treatments for erythrocytosis were chosen in the following order: phlebotomy, hydroxyurea, anti-platelet agents, and anti-coagulants. The erythrocytosis was less controlled in non-PV patients, despite the absence of a significant difference in complications between the 2 groups. In conclusion, a thorough clinical and laboratory work-up is essential for diagnosing erythrocytosis and for the selection of appropriate further exams and treatment option.