A narrative review of the prevalence of polycythemia and its associated risk factors in Saudi Arabia

As polycythemia is a worldwide health concern, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a notable increase in the prevalence of such a disorder. Studying the frequency and cause of polycythemia is an essential part of implementing successful medical treatments and implementing policies that are possibly going to control this disease. The current review aims to underline the key findings of the body of literature that has examined the causes, prevalence, and major challenges associated with polycythemia in the country and correlate those findings with studies that have been conducted around the world. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to summarize the major findings of different studies that have been conducted in Saudi Arabia regarding different types of polycythemias, their causes, symptoms, and associated risk factors, including genetic mutations. Various studies have reported different causes and symptoms of polycythemia. Specific mutations in Janus kinase 2 gene have been found to increase the risk of developing polycythemia vera, according to studies that investigated the genetic component of the disease. Furthermore, reports of common polycythemias such as smoker’s, neonatal, and post-transplant polycythemias have been made in different parts of Saudi Arabia. Integrating genetic mutations, demographic information, and clinical manifestations, the current review of the literature offers a comprehensive overview of polycythemia in the kingdom. This benefits polycythemia patients as well as the kingdom by enhancing management techniques, therapeutic approaches, genetic counseling, and the integration of molecular-based diagnostic techniques.