Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis: comparison of clinical and laboratory parameters
M Usman1, F Bilwani, G N Kakepoto
1Department of Pathology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Objective:
To evaluate the various clinical and laboratory parameters of Polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis in order to differentiate between two entities at the Aga Khan University Hospital.
Methods:
Twenty six patients of polycythemia vera and 34 patients of idiopathic erythrocytosis were analyzed with respect to clinical features and laboratory findings.
Results:
Patients with idiopathic erythrocytosis were males with a mean age of 41 years and no splenomegaly. Patients with polycythemia were older males and females with splenomegaly, red cell count of mor than 6.5 million/cmm, haematocrit 55%, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis and low erythropoietin level.
Conclusion:
Based on the above-mentioned findings, we suggest that polycythemia vera and idiopathic erythrocytosis are separate entities and the diagnosis of these can be made on the basis of clinical and laboratory parameters.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Erythropoiesis
Erythropoiesis
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

