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Early and Recurrent Stroke in Polycythemia Vera Patients: Insight from Middle East Tertiary Cancer Center

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Date
2026
Author
Mohamed, Shehab F., Al-Mashdali, Abdulrahman F., Babiker, Anas, Alsayed, Ahmed, Fadul, Abdalla, Qasim, Hana, Kohla, Samah, Soliman, Dina, Al Dali, Sara, Magboul, Hassan, Singh, Kalpana, Al Ali, Fatima, Yassin, Mohamed, Imam, Yahia
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QU Health Research
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Abstract
Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events, including stroke. Data on stroke characteristics among PV patients in the Middle East are limited. Methods: We analyzed 113 polycythemia vera (PV) patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2023 at a tertiary center in the Middle East. Stroke cases were identified from a national perspective database and confirmed to have PV. Clinical and demographic characteristics, stroke subtypes, outcomes, and time to stroke were recorded and compared to PV patients without stroke. Results: Stroke occurred in 14 patients (12.4%), predominantly ischemic. The mean age at stroke was 53.4 ± 10.2 years, with a male predominance (64.3%). The median time from PV diagnosis to stroke was 317 days (range: 11-3235 days). Despite relatively mild neurological deficits at presentation, median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) of 3, mortality reached 21.4% and recurrent stroke occurred in 21.4% of cases. Conclusion: Stroke is a frequent and early complication in PV, often occurring within the first year after diagnosis. Despite mild clinical presentation, mortality and recurrence rates are high. Early identification, dynamic risk stratification and aggressive management of vascular risk factors are critical to improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.Fethical
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http://hdl.handle.net/10576/71290