Myeloproliferative neoplasms in Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis: a meta-analysis

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are the most common cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and nonmalignant, noncirrhotic portal vein thrombosis (PVT). In this meta-analysis, we determined the prevalence of MPNs and their subtypes as well as JAK2V617F and its diagnostic role in these uncommon disorders. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Prevalence of MPNs, JAK2V617F, and MPN subtypes were calculated using a random-effects model. A total of 1062 BCS and 855 PVT patients were included. In BCS, mean prevalence of MPNs and JAK2V617F was 40.9% (95% CI, 32.9%-49.5%) and 41.1% (95% CI, 32.3%-50.6%), respectively. In PVT, mean prevalence of MPNs and JAK2V617F was 31.5% (95% CI, 25.1%-38.8%) and 27.7% (95% CI, 20.8%-35.8%), respectively. JAK2V617F and MPNs were more frequent in BCS compared with PVT (P = .03 and P = .09, respectively). Polycythemia vera was more prevalent in BCS than in PVT (P = .001). JAK2V617F screening in splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) patients without typical hematologic MPN features identified MPN in 17.1% and 15.4% of screened BCS and PVT patients, respectively. These results demonstrate a high prevalence of MPNs and JAK2V617F in SVT patients and show differences in underlying etiology between these disorders. Furthermore, these results validate routine inclusion of JAK2V617F in the diagnostic workup of SVT patients.