Is JAK2 V617F mutation more than a diagnostic index? A meta-analysis of clinical outcomes in essential thrombocythemia

A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to compare the frequency of clinically significant outcomes between JAK2 V617F positive and wild type patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). JAK2 V617F positivity in patients with ET was associated with a clear increase in the odds of thrombosis [OR = 1.83 (95% CI, 1.32-2.53), p < 0.0001], and much higher odds of transformation to polycythemia vera [OR = 7.67 (95% Cl, 2.04-28.87), p = 0.0009]. The mean difference of the white blood cell count between JAK2 positive and negative patients was associated with an increased odds ratio for thrombosis (p = 0.02). The JAK2 V617F mutation in patients with ET is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes via an increase in the leukocyte count. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.