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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Polycythemia epidemiology and demographics

Introduction

Overview

Overview

  • Not usually diagnosed in individuals below 60 years of age. Slightly more prevalent in men than in women according to some studies.
Epidemiology and Demographics

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence

  • The incidence of polycythemia vera is approximately 1.9 per 100,000 individuals in the United States.[1][2][3]
  • Taking into account all races and ethnicities, the incidence is approximately 2.8 per 100,000 males and 1.3 per 100,000 in females.

Prevalence

Case-fatality rate/Mortality rate

  • 4-year mortality rate is >10%.
  • On average patients lived with the disease for 8.6 years (mean), the cases that were fatal were approximately 77.1 years of age on average.
  • Comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, other blood, and lymphatic disorders, vascular disorders, mass occupying lesions in the thorax, respiratory system, infections, etc. accounted for more deaths more often.[4]
  • Thrombotic complications were the most common cause of death followed by hematologic malignancy.

Age

  • It has been noted that PV is more common in the age group >75.[5]
  • Median age of diagnosis is 60.[6]

Race

  • Jews of Eastern European descent have a higher number of cases as compared to other Europeans or Asians.

Gender

  • Generally, there is no sex predilection.[7]
  • In the analysis for the 7 MM countries, the percentage of prevalent males was higher than prevalent females.

Region

  • Incidence of cases is higher in the United States and Europe than in Japan.[8][9]
References

References

  1. ↑ Berglund S, Zettervall O (1992). “Incidence of polycythemia vera in a defined population”. Eur J Haematol. 48 (1): 20–6. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0609.1992.tb01788.x. PMID 1730276.
  2. ↑ Ridell B, Carneskog J, Wedel H, Vilén L, Høgh Dufva I, Mellqvist UH; et al. (2000). “Incidence of chronic myeloproliferative disorders in the city of Göteborg, Sweden 1983-1992”. Eur J Haematol. 65 (4): 267–71. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0609.2000.065004267.x. PMID 11073167.
  3. ↑ “StatPearls”. 2021. PMID 32491592 Check |pmid= value (help).
  4. ↑ Chou YS, Gau JP, Yu YB, Pai JT, Hsiao LT, Liu JH; et al. (2013). “Leukocytosis in polycythemia vera and splenomegaly in essential thrombocythemia are independent risk factors for hemorrhage”. Eur J Haematol. 90 (3): 228–36. doi:10.1111/ejh.12064. PMID 23281576.
  5. ↑ Frezzato M, Ruggeri M, Castaman G, Rodeghiero F (1993). “Polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia in young patients”. Haematologica. 78 (6 Suppl 2): 11–7. PMID 8039752.
  6. ↑ “StatPearls”. 2021. PMID 32491592 Check |pmid= value (help).
  7. ↑ “StatPearls”. 2021. PMID 32491592 Check |pmid= value (help).
  8. ↑ “StatPearls”. 2021. PMID 32491592 Check |pmid= value (help).
  9. ↑ Johansson P (April 2006). “Epidemiology of the myeloproliferative disorders polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia”. Semin Thromb Hemost. 32 (3): 171–3. doi:10.1055/s-2006-939430. PMID 16673273.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Debduti Mukhopadhyay, M.B.B.S[2]