To detect the red blood cell lifespan in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and explore the influencing factors.

From February 2017 to December 2018, 27 patients with PV at Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and 18 normal controls were recruited. Red blood cell lifespan was detected by endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) breath test. The related factors were analyzed.

The average red blood cell lifespan of 27 PV patients was 80 (range, 35-120) days (d), which was significantly shorter than that of the normal controls [110.5(69-166) d, P<0.05], namely 35.3 d shorter. The red blood cell lifespan of ten newly diagnosed patients and 17 patients who were treated with hydroxyurea and/or interferon were 98 (35-117) d and 69 (45-120) d, respectively, which were both shorter than that of the normal control (P=0.010, 0.000). Correlation analysis showed that red blood cell lifespan of patients with newly diagnosed PV was associated with JAK2 mutation allele burden (r=0.900, P=0.037), peripheral blood lymphocyte count (r=-0.742, P=0.014) and the level of serum vitamin B₁₂ (r=-0.821, P=0.023).

The lifespan of red blood cells in patients with PV is about one-third shorter than normal, and is related to JAK2 mutation allele burden, absolute lymphocyte count, and serum vitamin B₁₂ level.

Polycythemia vera; Red blood cell lifespan; Carbon monoxide breath test