PURPOSE: To evaluate the ITP treatment modalities and their results in a series of 30 adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 patients, age 15-74, were diagnosed of ITP in our institution between 1988 and December 1991. We defined the ITP as: mild (platelets > or = 50 x 10(9)/L and < or = 120 x 10(9)/L), moderate (platelets 25-50 x 10(9)/L) and severe (platelets < or = 25 x 10(9)/L). Treatment was initiated when the platelet count reached a level < 50 x 10(9)/L. Initial therapy was oral prednisone or methyl-prednisolone in all patients. In 12 unresponsive patients the treatment included splenectomy. Patients who fail steroid therapy and splenectomy received additional lines of therapy, that included: vincristine (n = 2), vinblastine (n = 1), danazol (n = 5), anti D immunoglobulin (n = 6), methotrexate (n = 2), intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 3). RESULTS: Complete remission was obtained in 19 patients with a follow-up of 3 to 55 months (median, 30 months). Partial remission was achieved in 4 patients, that was sustained for 9 to 39 months (median, 22.5 months) after initial therapy. One unresponsive patient died of infection. Six mild ITP patients did not require therapy with a follow-up of 14 to 56 months (median, 33.1 months). CONCLUSION: In adult patients with mild ITP, therapy is not required. Steroid therapy remains the initial therapeutic choice for moderate and severe ITP. In unresponsive patients useful alternative choices are splenectomy, danazol, anti D immunoglobulin and methotrexate.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the ITP treatment modalities and their results in a series of 30 adult patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 patients, age 15-74, were diagnosed of ITP in our institution between 1988 and December 1991. We defined the ITP as: mild (platelets > or = 50 x 10(9)/L and < or = 120 x 10(9)/L), moderate (platelets 25-50 x 10(9)/L) and severe (platelets < or = 25 x 10(9)/L). Treatment was initiated when the platelet count reached a level < 50 x 10(9)/L. Initial therapy was oral prednisone or methyl-prednisolone in all patients. In 12 unresponsive patients the treatment included splenectomy. Patients who fail steroid therapy and splenectomy received additional lines of therapy, that included: vincristine (n = 2), vinblastine (n = 1), danazol (n = 5), anti D immunoglobulin (n = 6), methotrexate (n = 2), intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 3). RESULTS: Complete remission was obtained in 19 patients with a follow-up of 3 to 55 months (median, 30 months). Partial remission was achieved in 4 patients, that was sustained for 9 to 39 months (median, 22.5 months) after initial therapy. One unresponsive patient died of infection. Six mild ITPpatients did not require therapy with a follow-up of 14 to 56 months (median, 33.1 months). CONCLUSION: In adult patients with mild ITP, therapy is not required. Steroid therapy remains the initial therapeutic choice for moderate and severe ITP. In unresponsive patients useful alternative choices are splenectomy, danazol, anti D immunoglobulin and methotrexate.