Which clinical finding is often noted in patients with polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells, which leads to an increase in hematocrit levels. Hematocrit is the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells, and in patients with polycythemia vera, this value is typically elevated due to the excessive production of these cells by the bone marrow.

This increase in red blood cell mass can result in various complications, including increased blood viscosity, which may lead to blood clots, high blood pressure, and a higher risk of thrombosis. Therefore, the hallmark of polycythemia vera is indeed the increased hematocrit, making it a key clinical finding in the diagnosis and management of the condition.

Other factors such as blood pressure, sodium levels, and liver function may vary or be affected in different ways in patients with this condition, but they are not primary identifiers of polycythemia vera.