EVALUATION OF VASO OCCLUSIVE/THROMBOTIC EVENTS IN PATIENTS WITH JAK 2 POSITIVE POLYCYTHEMIA VERA AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder with abnormally increased hemoglobin
and hematocrit. JAK2 mutation is detected in up to about 95% patients with PV. Patients are at riks for arterial and venous
occlusive/ thrombotic events
Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with PV and JAK2 mutation positive at a single centre from January 2013 to December 2017 were
analysed in the study. Arterial occlusive and thrombotic venous events before or at diagnosis were studied. Age at diagnosis, sex, splenomegaly,
PCV, leukocyte count and platelet count at diagnosis were analysed as potential risk factors for thrombosis. The data was subsequently
documented into an excel sheet following which a statistical analysis was done using SPSS(v24).
Results: One hundred and thirty four patients with Jak 2 positive polycythemia were included in the analysis. Thrombotic episodes were
documented in 48 (35.8%) at or before diagnosis. Arterial events predominated in 35 (72.9%) of them followed by venous events in 10(20.8%)
and both arterial and venous events in 2 (6.25%) patients. Patients who had splenomegaly at diagnosis had signicantly more thrombotic
episodes ( p 0.004).
Conclusion: The medical literature from India on Polycythemia has been sparse (10,11). Our single centre study shows that the clinical prole
and thrombotic episodes in Indian patients with JAK2 positive PV appear similar to those described in the western literature. Prospective multi
center studies should look carefully into the risk factors predicting thrombosis in PV.