The effect of smoking and other risk factors on thrombosis in patients with polycythemia vera living in Mersin region

Introduction: With this study, determination of the frequency of thromboembolic complications and the other risk factors that create a predisposition to thromboembolic complications in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) in the Mersin population is aimed. Method: Medical records of 102 patients who were diagnosed with PV between 2009 and 2017 at Univercity of Mersin, Faculty of Medicine in accordance with the 2001-2008 criteria determined by World Health Organization were reviewed. Patients’ demographical data, clinical data, history of previous thrombotic events, treatments they received, and laboratory data at the time of diagnosis were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The study population consisted of 102 patients with PV, 49 patients with no history of thrombotic events and 53 patients with a history of thrombotic events. Mean age was higher in patients with a history of thrombotic event. A statistically significant relationship was found between the presence of HT, presence of heart disease, and the presence of JAK-2 V617F mutation compared to the patients who had a history of thrombotic event. Conclusion: The association of thromboembolic complications with JAK2V617F mutation in patients with polistemia vera is known. Smoking, HT, and JAK-2 V617F positivity are the factors that increase the risk of developing thrombotic events