Frequency of clinico-hematological features and JAK 2 status of young adults presenting with polycythemia in RMI hospital, Peshawar.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of clinico-hematological features and JAK 2 status of young adults presenting with Polycythemia Vera at the department of hematology. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Hematology, RMI Hospital, Peshawar. Period: 25^th November 2023 to 25^th May 2024. Methods: A total of 190 patients aging between 18-45 years and presented as suffering from Polycythemia Vera as per diagnosis of consultant hematopathologists, were included in this study. Samples with clear evidence of hemolysis, coagulation, or clots were excluded. Patient’s demographics, details of physical appearance, clinical findings and history of adverse events were recorded.  Hematological and pathological investigations were done and analysis of JAK2 V617F mutation was conducted using polymerase chain reaction from the diagnostic lab of the institute.  The primary outcome of the study was to determine the frequency of clinico-hematological features and JAK 2 status. Results: The Mean±SD of age in our study was 36.81±6.11 years with an age range of 21-45 years. Out of total patients, 49 (25.79%) patients were asymptomatic. The major symptoms affecting the daily life activities were headache 65 (34.21), abdominal discomfort 41 (21.58%), blurred vision 27 (14.21%) and fatigue 27 (14.21%). These patients had plethoric face 61 (32.11%), splenomegaly 64 (33.68%) and budd-chiari syndrome 8 (4.21%).  The results of hematopathological findings showed abnormal hemoglobin (17±3.92 gm/dL), hematocrit (52.94±4.8 g %), platelet (579.63±227.68 10³/μL) and leukocyte (10.32±2.6, 10³/μL) levels while 177 (93.16 %) patients had mutated JAK2 levels. Conclusion: Plethoric face and splenomegaly are the commonly found clinical findings in patients with Polycythemia Vera while these patients also have abnormal levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet and leukocyte.  JAK 2 status serves conclusive role in the diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera.