Polycythaemia

• What is polycythaemia characterised by?

  Elevated haematocrit and/or haemoglobin conc
• What are the different categories of polycythaemia?

  Primary

  Secondary

  Relative
• What is primary polycythaemia also called?

  Polycythemia vera
• What causes primary polycythaemia?

  Abnormal prolif of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow
• What causes secondary polycythaemia?

  Inc erythropoietin levels
• What causes relative polycythaemia?

  Dec plasma volume
• What are some conditions that often present with secondary polycythaemia?

  COPD

  Congenital heart disease

  Renal cell carcinoma

  Hepatocellular carcinoma
• How may a patient with polycythaemia present?

  Fatigue

  Headache

  DVT

  Plethora
• What are some signs seen during the physical examination of a patient with polycythaemia?

  Plethora

  Splenomegaly

  Gout

  Hypertension
• What is the initial test for polycythaemia?

  CBC
• Which genetic test is crucial in diagnosing primary polycythaemia?

  JAK2 mutation
• What is the first-line drug given to patients with polycythaemia vera to reduce risk of clots?

  Aspirin