The Frequency of Thromboembolism and Factors Associated with Thromboembolism in Patients Suffering from Polycythemia Vera

Abstract

This study aimed to identify at what frequency of thromboembolic complications and the other risk factors that create a predisposition to thromboembolic complications occur in patients suffering from polycythemia vera (PV). In accordance with the 2001-2008 criteria put forth by World Health Organization, we reviewed the medical records of 207 patients who were diagnosed with PV between 2009 and 2017 at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. We retrospectively looked at their demographical and clinical data, alongside their history of previous thrombotic events, what treatment they had received, and lab data at the time of diagnosis. We found that the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, as well as their median white blood cell count and JAK2V617F positivity rate of those who had suffered thrombotic events were higher who had not. In addition, we also discovered that the mean age (60 vs. 55.3; p=0.012) and rate of tobacco use (62.9% vs. 23.7%; p<0.001) were both determined among the thrombotic groups versus the normal group. According to multivariate regression model of potential risk factors associated with thrombotic events, we had determined that smoking (OR=7.21; p<0.001), hypertension (OR=5.44; p=0.008), itching (OR=6.7; p=0.001), and JAK2V617F positivity (OR=2.61; p=0.043) were all independent risk factors that indicated the presence of an arterial event. We also arrived at the fact that smoking (OR=7.07; p=0.001) and itching (OR=12.9; p=0.001) were also independent risk factors predicting the presence of a venous event. Our findings conclusively reveal which risk factors are associated with thromboembolic events among PV patients. In light of that, we recommend that preventive measures be against these risk factors in order to decrease the frequency of thromboembolic complications that PV patients experience.