Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycythemia Vera in Pakistan; Barriers and Possible Solutions

Abstract

This review aims to highlight the challenges encountered in managing Polycythemia Vera in resource-limited settings and to suggest a cost-effective strategy for timely diagnosis and treatment. Presentation to healthcare facilities at an advanced stage due to lack of awareness and limited access to medical care, delay in the diagnosis due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure, unavailability of molecular testing in the majority of centers, and suboptimal disease management, primarily due to lack of physician awareness and expertise in handling this condition are the key factors contributing to the higher rates of complications, including thrombotic events and disease progression, ultimately leading to poorer patient prognoses in Pakistani population. This review describes and evaluates a cost-effective diagnostic and treatment approach to Polycythemia Vera to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disorder in Pakistan. A tailored investigation plan comprising of JAK2 mutation and serum erythropoietin levels and minimal cytoreductive therapy combined with phlebotomy and anti-platelet agent can be implemented to achieve optimal management of the disease in a resource-constrained country

Keywords

• polycythemia vera
• pakistan
• cytoreduction therapy
• cost effective
• jak2 mutation