Warning

Audience

  • Highland HSCP 

Causes

  • Infection
  • Inflammation e.g. autoimmune disease, polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Raised fibrinogen concentration
  • Malignancy
  • Increased immunoglobulins, polyclonal or clonal
  • Myeloma or lymphoma
  • Trauma
  • Sarcoid

History and examination

Evaluate for any infective cause and look for any signs or symptoms of autoimmune disease. Ask about night sweats, bone pains and weight loss. Examine for lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Look at older blood results.

Suggested investigations

  • Full blood count and blood film
  • Autoimmune screen if appropriate or suggestive
  • Tests for infective aetiology
  • Calcium
  • Immunoglobulins and serum protein electrophoresis
  • If no obvious cause consider chest radiograph and abdominal imaging

Management

This depends on the underlying cause and degree of suspicion. If there are no results or features to suggest haematological malignancy we do not review patients with an elevated PV.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 29/01/2024

Next review date: 31/01/2027

Author(s): Haematology Department .

Version: 2

Approved By: APPROVED TAM Subgroup of the ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Dr P Forsyth, Consultant Haematologist .

Document Id: TAM619