Polycythaemia Vera: Features

Key points

• Polycythaemia vera (previously called polycythaemia rubra vera) is a myeloproliferative disorder caused by clonal proliferation of a marrow stem cell leading to an increase in red cell volume,
• hyperviscosity
• pruritus, typically after a hot bath
• haemorrhage (secondary to abnormal platelet function)
• plethoric appearance