Pruritus in polycythemia vera is associated with a lower risk of arterial thrombosis

Am J Hematol. 2008 Jun;83(6):451-3. doi: 10.1002/ajh.21156.

Abstract

Among 418 patients with polycythemia vera seen at our institution and in whom pruritus history was recorded, the presence of pruritus at diagnosis was documented in 131 (31%) and its absence in 287 (69%). Pruritus was less frequently reported by smokers (12% vs. 24%; P = 0.004) and diabetics (5% vs. 11%; P = 0.04). The presence of pruritus was associated with a lower rate of arterial thrombosis, both at diagnosis (8% vs. 17%; P = 0.01) and during follow-up (16% vs. 30%; P = 0.003). Multivariable analysis revealed that these associations were independent of other risk factors for thrombosis. High JAK2V617F allele burden clustered with pruritus (P = 0.002) but did not affect thrombosis rates.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Polycythemia Vera / complications*
  • Prevalence
  • Pruritus / complications*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking
  • Thrombosis / etiology*

Substances

  • Janus Kinase 2