Primary polycythemia (PCV) may coexist in otherwise asymptomatic patients particularly in the presence of unsuspecting conditions such as Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In presumed "idiopathic TTP," autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be investigated as a possible etiology for TTP. Standardization of targeted therapy with immunomodulatory agents may be recommended for this subset of patients.
Keywords: Anemia; autoimmune disease; polycythemia vera; rheumatoid arthritis; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.