Polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis: comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the various clinical and laboratory parameters of Polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis in order to differentiate between two entities at the Aga Khan University Hospital.


METHODS
Twenty six patients of polycythemia vera and 34 patients of idiopathic erythrocytosis were analyzed with respect to clinical features and laboratory findings.


RESULTS
Patients with idiopathic erythrocytosis were males with a mean age of 41 years and no splenomegaly. Patients with polycythemia were older males and females with splenomegaly, red cell count of mor than 6.5 million/cmm, haematocrit 55%, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis and low erythropoietin level.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the above-mentioned findings, we suggest that polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis are separate entities and the diagnosis of these can be made on the basis of clinical and laboratory parameters.
Usman
M
M
Department of Pathology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Bilwani
F
F
Kakepoto
G N
GN
Adil
S N
SN
Sajid
R
R
Khurshid
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies