Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis

The Nordic study group on myeloproliferative disorders (NMPD) is a pan-Nordic organisation that has conducted Nordic clinical trials since 2001. NMPD decided in 2006 to write new guidelines, based on already existing national guidelines from the Nordic countries, Italy (1) and Great Britain (2). The first version was published in 2007. The aim has been to write a document that can be used in all Nordic countries. We have strived to use evidence-based medicine, i.e the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions on our recommendations. The grading system employed in these guidelines is detailed on page 46. However, it should be stressed that few randomized controlled trials exist in the MPDs to support decision-making for individual patients.