Women with essential thrombocythemia (ET) live longer than their male counterparts, according to a study involving nearly 1,500 individuals. In fact, gender might carry more weight than thrombosis history when predicting overall survival. One group of participants were from the Mayo Clinic (n=904). They had ET and were a median of 58 years of age. ~Two-thirds were female. Investigators analyzed them by international ET prognostic (IPSET) score, and then confirmed findings in a validation cohort. Among the results:

• Males were 60% more likely to experience shortened survival.
• Patients ≥60 years of age and those with leukocyte count ≥11 × 10(9)/L were also more likely to experience such.
• The findings were confirmed in the validation cohort.
• The survival disadvantage in men was highest in patients in the IPSET high risk category, and those >60 years of age.
• Thrombosis history was not a significant predictor after multivariable analysis.