Polycythaemia

Question 1

What is polycythaemia? (3)

Answer 1

Increase in Hb, PCV (packed cell volume) and RBCs

Blood is thicker and less able to travel through blood vessels and organs

Question 2

What are the causes of primary polycythaemia? (2)

Answer 2

Increased sensitivity of bone marrow cells to EPO —> increased RBC production

• Congenital polycythaemia
• Polycythaemia rubra vera (mutation in JAK2 gene)

Question 3

What are the symptoms of polycythaemia? (5)

Answer 3

Asymptomatic
Red, itchy skin
SOB
Headaches
Dizziness

Question 4

What are the investigations for polycythaemia? (3)

Answer 4

FBC
Bone marrow biopsy
Genetic tensing for JAK2 gene

Question 5

What is the treatment for polycythaemia? (2)

Answer 5

Polycythaemia rubra vera = bloodletting, aspirin

Secondary = treat the cause

Question 6

What are the causes of secondary polycythaemia? (3)

Answer 6

More EPO and thus more RBCs

• Chronic hypoxia
• Poor oxygen delivery (eg high altitude)
• Tumours which release high levels of EPO