Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network

In a recent review of data from 270 adults with JAK2 V617-F-positive myeloproliferative disorder, researchers determined that thrombosis was significantly more prevalent in women compared with men.

The findings, presented via a poster at the 2010 American Society of Hematology meeting, indicated that vascular complications were identified in 29% of women compared to 18% of men in a cohort of patients seen at the Johns Hopkins Center for Myeloproliferative Disorders in Baltimore.

Thrombotic events are prevalent and morbid conditions in essential thrombocytosis (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), but the exact mechanisms aside from hyperviscosity and dysfunctional platelet behavior are largely undefined.  Since ET, PV and PMF are chronic, latent disorders of middle and older age, researchers examined the influence of traditional thrombotic risk factors on the tendency toward thrombotic events. 

On average, the women were significantly younger and significantly less likely to smoke, compared with the men. Overall, 16 of 20 abdominal venous thrombotic events occurred in women, as did 11 of 12 abdominal venous thrombotic events in polycythemia vera, 6 of 7 cerebrovascular accidents, and 8 of 11 transient ischemic attacks. However, significantly more men than women had vascular complications at or within 5 years of diagnosis (70% vs. 43%).

No gender differences were noted in thrombosis prevalence based on disease class. Aspirin use, cytoreduction, and disease duration were not significantly different between men and women.

The results, according to investigators, suggest that women are paradoxically at greater risk for thrombosis in myeloproliferative disorders.