Polycythaemia

Question 1

What is relative polycythaemia?

Answer 1

This can be seen in:
Dehydration
Chronic alcohol intake
Excess diuretic use
Pyrexia
Diarrhoea and vomiting

Question 2

What is Absolute polycythaemia?

Answer 2

Normal plasma volume divided into:
Primary due to JAKSTAT mutation
Secondary due to high EPO

Question 3

Wha causes secondary polycythaemia?

Answer 3

Chronic hypoxia
Steroid use
Inappropriate secretion of EPO with renal neoplasms
Impaired renal function
Cyanoitic heart disease
Haemaglobinopatjy

Question 4

What is the presentation of polycythaemia?

Answer 4

Facial plethora
Splenomegaly
Hypertension
Pruritus
Visual disturbances because of hypervisciosity
Increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis
Gout risk
Haemorrhage due to IPMPAIRED PLATELET FUNCTION

Question 5

Wha is the management of polycythaemia?

Answer 5

Venesection
Allopurinol for got
Antihistamines for pruritus

Question 6

What is first line to suppress EPO

Answer 6

HYDROXYCARBAMIDE

Question 7

What is second line to suppress EPO

Answer 7

Interferon
JAK-2 inhibtiors

Question 8

What is first line in younger patients?

Answer 8

Interferon

Question 9

What is 3rd line to suppress EPO?

Answer 9

Busulfan

Question 10

When is venesection performed?

Answer 10

For platelet count over 1500
-> Low dose aspirin is typically given to reduce complication of thrmobocytoiss

Question 11

When is Hydroxycarbamide given?

Answer 11

High risk of thrombosis

Question 14

Whic other haematological condition is polycythaemia associated with?

Answer 14

Thrmobcythemai