Patterns of Hydroxyurea Prescription and Use in Routine Clinical Management of Polycythemia Vera: A Multicenter Chart Review Study

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate real-life data on patterns of hydroxyurea prescription/use in polycythemia vera (PV).

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective chart review study included PV patients who had received hydroxyurea therapy for at least 2 months after PV diagnosis. Data were collected from 10 representative academic medical centers.

Results:

Of 657 patients, 50.9% were in the high-risk group (age ≥60 years and/or history of thromboembolic event). The median duration of hydroxyurea therapy was 43.40 months for all patients; 70.2% of the patients had ongoing hydroxyurea therapy at last follow-up. Hydroxyurea was discontinued in 22.4% of the patients; the most common reason was death (38.5%). The predicted time until hydroxyurea discontinuation was 187.8 months (standard error: ±21.7) for all patients. This duration was shorter in females (140.3±37.7 vs. 187.8±29.7) (p=0.08). This trend was also observed in surviving patients aged ≥50 years at hydroxyurea initiation (122.2±12.4 vs. 187.8±30.7, p=0.03). Among the patients who were still on hydroxyurea therapy, 40.3% had a hematocrit concentration of ≥45% at their last follow-up visit, and the rate of patients with at least one elevated blood cell count was 67.8%.

Conclusion:

Hydroxyurea prescription patterns and treatment aims are frequently not in accordance with the guideline recommendations. Its discontinuation rate is higher in females.

• Authors: Yahya Büyükaşık, Rıdvan Ali, Mehmet Turgut, Güray Saydam, Akif Selim Yavuz, Ali Ünal, Muhlis Cem Ar, Orhan Ayyıldız, Fevzi Altuntaş, Müfide Okay, Rafiye Çiftçiler, Özgür Meletli, Nur Soyer, Metban Mastanzade, Zeynep Güven, Teoman Soysal, Abdullah Karakuş, Tuğçe Nur Yiğenoğlu, Barış Uçar, Ece Gökçen, Tülin Tuğlular
• Journal: Turkish journal of haematology : official journal of Turkish Society of Haematology (Turk J Haematol) Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 177-185 (08 28 2020) ISSN: 1308-5263 [Electronic] Turkey
• PMID: 32075363 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hydroxyurea

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxyurea (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polycythemia Vera (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Retrospective Studies
• Turkey