polycythaemia vera Flashcards
1
Q
what is polycythaemia vera?
A
over production of red cells
2
Q
what mutations do most patients have what does it cause?
A
JAK2 mutation -> causes loss of inhibition of epo
3
Q
what will be seen in blood result?
A
high haemoglobin and haematocrit
4
Q
what does it need to be distinguished from?
A
secondary polycythaemia and pseudo-polycythaemia
5
Q
what are causes of secondary polycythaemia?
A
COPD
epo secreting tumours
6
Q
what are causes of pseudo-polycythaemia?
A
dehydration
diuretic therapy
obesity
7
Q
how will a patient present?
A
headache, fatigue, itch (worse after shower)
8
Q
what is the management?
A
venesect to haematocrit <0.45
hydroxycarbamid (hydroxyurea)
9
Q
A
