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Review
. 2024 Aug 22;13(16):4952.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13164952.

Impact of Phlebotomy on Quality of Life in Low-Risk Polycythemia Vera

Nathan Visweshwar  1 , Bradley Fletcher  1 , Michael Jaglal  2 , Damian A Laber  2 , Ankita Patel  2 , Jennifer Eatrides  2 , Geetha Rajasekharan Rathnakumar  2 , Keshav Visweswaran Iyer  1 , Irmel Ayala  3 , Arumugam Manoharan  4
Affiliations
Review

Impact of Phlebotomy on Quality of Life in Low-Risk Polycythemia Vera

Nathan Visweshwar et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Polycythemia vera is an indolent myeloproliferative disorder that predisposes patients to venous and arterial thrombosis and can transform into myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia. Consistent phlebotomy prevents life-threatening cerebrovascular and coronary artery disease and prolongs survival in low-risk polycythemia vera (patients under 60 years without thrombosis). However, despite its effectiveness in preventing serious complications, phlebotomy does not necessarily enhance the quality of life (QoL). This review assesses QoL issues associated with low-risk PV, explores alternative management strategies such as erythrocytapheresis, and discusses the roles of hydroxyurea, peginterferon, ruxolitinib, and other novel agents in potentially improving disease management and patient outcomes.

Keywords: chemotherapy; low risk; phlebotomy; polycythemia vera; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Suggested algorithm for the management of low-risk PV.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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