Evaluation of Hemoglobin and Serum Erythropoietin Levels in Patients with Polycythemia Vera and Secondary polycythemia

Abstract Objective: This study compares and evaluates hemoglobin and erythropoietin levels in patients with polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia. Design: This was aretrospective cross-sectional study evaluating the serum erythropoietin and Hb levels in patients with polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia. Setting: This study was performed simultaneously in Texas state of the U.S. and Fars Province in Iran. Participants: Hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythropoietin test results were collected from patients aged 19 to 75 years who were diagnosed with polycythemia vera and secondary polycythemia. Intervention: To evaluate the effect of a JAK2 mutation on erythropoietin (EPO) and hemoglobin levels in polycythemia patients in Texas, the U.S., and Fars Province, Iran. Main Outcome Measures: Patients with polycythemia vera had decreased erythropoietin and increased hemoglobin levels compared with patients with secondary polycythemia. Results: The present study showed (P=0.5) that, compared with those in patients with secondary polycythemia, the serum hemoglobin and erythropoietin levels in patients with polycythemia vera were not significantly different. Conclusion: Low erythropoietin levels may not be helpful in differentiating polycythemia vera from secondary polycythemia. According to WHO diagnostic guidelines, the best test for the diagnosis of polycythemia vera is the JAK molecular genetic test.