title: Pruritus in polycythaemia vera: prevalence, laboratory correlates and management.
abstract: In a retrospective cohort, 192 (48%) out of 397 patients with polycythaemia vera had a documented history of pruritus. At diagnosis, the presence of pruritus was significantly associated with a lower mean corpuscular volume and a higher leucocyte count. Among 66 patients with documentation of treatment for pruritus, 389 'patient visits' were reviewed, revealing a significant correlation between active pruritus and low mean corpuscular volume, but not platelet, leucocyte or basophil count. Paroxetine and hydroxyzine were rated by patients to be the most effective drugs in controlling pruritus. These observations suggest a pathogenetic role for both iron deficiency and biogenic amines in polycythaemia vera-associated pruritus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diehn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tefferi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D011537:Pruritus / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors