Patterns of Hydroxyurea Prescription and Use in Routine Clinical Management of Polycythaemia Vera: a Multicentre Chart Review Study

Abstract

p r o o f Objectives: To evaluate real-life data about patterns of hydroxyurea prescription/use in polycythaemia vera (PV). Methods: This retrospective, chart review study included PV patients who had received hydroxyurea therapy for at least 2 months after PV diagnosis. Data were collected from 10 representative academic medical centres. Results: Of 657 patients, 50.9% were in high-risk group (age ≥60 years and/or history of thromboembolic event). The median duration of hydroxyurea therapy was 43.40 months for all patients; 70.2% of the patients had ongoing hydroxyurea therapy at last follow-up. Hydroxyurea was discontinued in 22.4% of the patients; the most common reason was death (38.5%). The predicted time until hydroxyurea discontinuation was 187.8 months±21.7 standard error for all patients. This duration was shorter in females (140.3±37.7 vs 187.8±29.7) (p=0.08). This trend was also observed in surviving patients aged 50 years at hydroxyurea initiation (122.2±12.4 vs. 187.8±30.7, p=0.03). Among the patients who were still on hydroxyurea therapy, 40.3% had a haematocrit concentration ≥45% in their last follow-up visit, and the rate of patients with at least one elevated blood cell count was 67.8%. Conclusions: Hydroxyurea prescription patterns and treatment aims are frequently not in accordance with the guideline recommendations. Its discontinuation rate is higher in females.

Atorvastan, Apsirin and Hydorxyurea for an Effective and Low-Cost Treatment in High-Risk Polycythemia Vera

“…It influences several critical factors contributing to the reduction of hyperviscosity and to blood rheology, including haematocrit, haemoglobin, and erythrocyte morphology. [45][46][47][48] In this study, high-risk patients with PV who received the combination of HU (low-dose), ATV, and ASA displayed a good response and adequate tolerance to treatment. The most long-standing patient in the study has received this treatment combination for 13 years, and others have received it for at least 10 years.…”

“…17,44 Regarding HU, the cytotoxic drug has been the conventional treatment for PV in high-risk patients, despite studies that employ HU alone without combining other drugs displaying few encouraging results. 1,45 HU is usually well tolerated. It influences several critical factors contributing to the reduction of hyperviscosity and to blood rheology, including haematocrit, haemoglobin, and erythrocyte morphology.…”

Cytoreductive therapy in younger adults with polycythemia vera: a meta-analysis of safety and outcomes

“…and G.A.-Z. ); 97 articles were read in full, and ultimately 14 studies 11 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 met inclusion criteria ( Figure 1 ). The concordance rate between the reviewers was 91%.…”