A long-term retrospective study of young women with essential thrombocythemia

Objective: To describe presenting clinical manifestations, long-term diseas e complications, prognostic indicators, and outcome of pregnancy for women younger than 50 years with essential thrombocythemia, Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patien ts with essential thrombocythemia evaluated at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn , between 1969 and 1991 and identified 74 young women (median age, 35 years ; range, 18-48 years) with essential thrombocythemia. The diagnosis was bas ed on previously established criteria. Median follow-up was 9.2 years (rang e, 0.2-26.2 years). Results: Overall survival was similar to that of an age- and sex-matched co ntrol population, Thrombotic events (except superficial thrombophlebitis) o ccurred at and after diagnosis in 11 patients (15%) and 13 patients (18%), respectively. A history of thrombosis at diagnosis was significantly associ ated with recurrent thrombosis (P=.03), A platelet count higher than 1500 x 10(9)/L at diagnosis was significantly associated with gastrointestinal tr act bleeding and subsequent development of venous (but not arterial) thromb osis (P=.04), Major hemorrhagic events occurred in only 3 patients (4%) aft er diagnosis. Only 1 patient developed acute leukemia. Thirty-four pregnanc ies occurred in 18 patients, Of these, 17 (50%) resulted in live births, Of the 17 patients with unsuccessful pregnancies, 14 had spontaneous abortion s, 1 had an ectopic pregnancy, and 2 had elective abortions. Preconception platelet count, thrombotic history, or specific therapy was not useful in p redicting pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Young women with essential thrombocythemia can expect long surv ival with a low incidence of life-threatening thrombohemorrhagic complicati ons or acute leukemia. There is an increased incidence of first-trimester m iscarriages that may not be influenced by specific therapy.