Loss of life expectancy in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms in Sweden

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are chronic bone marrow malignancies. While the prognosis is generally good, patients can face complications leading to reduced life expectancy. However, no population-based studies have quantified the life expectancy (LEC) and loss in life expectancy (LLE) following MPN. In this population-based study, we included individuals diagnosed with MPN in Sweden aged 50 years and older between 2002 and 2021, with follow-up until 2022. We used flexible parametric relative survival models with a period analysis (2012-2021) to estimate LEC and LLE. We also estimated 15-year restricted mean survival time (RMST) and the loss in 15-year restricted mean survival time (LRMST) for each MPN subtype: polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The average LEC was 11.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.2-11.7) and LLE was 4.3 years (95% CI: 4.1-4.6). For the MPN subtypes, the average 15-year LRMST was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.7-2.0) in PV, 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1-1.4) in ET, and 4.4 years (95% CI: 4.0-4.8) in PMF. Our study shows that life expectancy is lower in all MPN subtypes compared to the general population. By quantifying LEC and LLE, our research offers insights into the impact of MPN on an individual's lifespan beyond the diagnosis.