Characteristics and treatment of polycythemia vera patients in clinical practice: a multicenter chart review on 1476 individuals in Germany.

The patient population investigated was older than participants in published large multicenter trials. The majority of patients were categorized as 'high risk.' Age was the main risk factor. Molecular status was unavailable in the majority of patients diagnosed prior to 2008. The physician-based survey reported on significantly lower rates of constitutional symptoms than patient-based surveys in the literature. Consistent with previously published reports, hydroxyurea is the main agent used for PV therapy in an outpatient setting resulting in efficient control of hematopoietic parameters. Constitutional symptoms and splenomegaly, however, may not be reduced efficiently, which could be improved by the use of JAK inhibitor treatment for high-risk patients in the future.