Polycythaemia Flashcards
What is Polycythaemia?
There are 2 main types: primary polycythaemia – there’s a problem in the cells produced by the bone marrow that become red blood cells; the most common type is known as polycythaemia vera (PV) secondary polycythaemia – too many red blood cells are produced as the result of an underlying condition (e.g. lung disease, hypoventilation, diuretics, COPD or performing enhancing drugs)
What are the Risk Factors of polycythaemia vera?
Vera = philadelphia chromosome mutation
Age > 40
Budd Chiari Syndrome
What are the signs and symptoms of polycythaemia v?
> Features of Thrombosis > features of haemorrhage > asymptomatic > headache > generalised weakness/fatigue > pruritus > erythromelalgia > redness of fingers, palms, toes, heels > facial redness > splenomegaly
What is the epidemiology of polycythaemia v?
Two estimates suggest a prevalence of 30 to 35 cases per 100,000.
What investigations should you do for polycythaemia v?
FBC ( high Hb and hct, high EBC and plt, low MCV)
LFTs (normal)
JAK2 gene mutation screen (pos)