Profile of Polycythemia Vera in Campus Teaching Hospital of Lome - Togo

Abstract

The annual prevalence of polycythemia vera is about 2.16 new cases. The average age of patients was 46, 7 years with ranges from 31 to 65 years. There were 9 men and 4 women. The most frequent factor of finding was the fortuitous ones (23%). Most clinical signs represented were headache (69.2%), skin érythroses (53.8%) and paresthesia (30.8%). The average value of hemoglobin, hematocrit, the number of white blood cells and platelets in our patients with polycythemia who had positive JAK2V617F was respectively: 198g/L ± 44; 62.7 ± 4.4%; 9

Polycythemia vera disease profile in an African population—experience from a tertiary facility in Ghana

“…Several studies have shown polycythemia to be more common in males than females with a ratio of 2:1. 8 , 23 , 24 The gender disparity in the occurrence of polycythemia vera was partly shown to be due to gender influence on JAK2 (V617F) allele burden and this may produce phenotypic differences in the disease. 25 Palandri et al, 5 in a review on the gender effect of polycythemia vera, acknowledging the effects of gender-specific diagnostic thresholds underscored the influence of gender on the clinical presentation, symptom burden, and pathogenesis of polycythemia vera.…”

“…Symptoms that are commonly reported at presentation include headache, dizziness, pruritus, numbness, epigastric discomfort, bleeding, tiredness, visual disturbances, tinnitus, and night sweats. 8 , 11 , 23 , 24 , 26 Headache has been found as the most common presenting symptom. 8 , 23 , 24 In this study, headache was found to be the most common complaint at presentation.…”

“… 8 , 11 , 23 , 24 , 26 Headache has been found as the most common presenting symptom. 8 , 23 , 24 In this study, headache was found to be the most common complaint at presentation.…”

“…3 It was first described by French doctor Louis Henri Vaquez (1860-1936) as a form of cyanosis with excessive and persistent hyperglobulinemia. 4 In polycythemia vera, there is usually excessive red cell production with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines which are secondary to the over-activation of the Janus Kinase (JAK) 2 pathway which is a result of mutations in the JAK2 gene. 5 Usually, the JAK pathway is tightly regulated to ensure normal blood cell production and function, but disruptions in the pathway can lead to disease states.…”

“…3 It was first described by French doctor Louis Henri Vaquez (1860–1936) as a form of cyanosis with excessive and persistent hyperglobulinemia. 4 …”