[Outline of treatment--strategy of initial therapy]

Nihon Rinsho. 2003 Apr;61(4):587-92.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a low platelet count and mucocutaneous bleeding. ITP is classified as acute or chronic ITP. In acute ITP, more than 70 percent of affected patients resolves within six months, irrespective of whether they receive therapy. By contrast, in chronic ITP, they receive the initial therapy including corticosteroids, followed by splenectomy when corticosteroid therapy is proved to be ineffective. Long-term remission is observed in 5-30% patients with corticosteroid therapy. Splenectomy produces remissions in 50-70% of patients evaluated 6-12 months after operation. Chronic refractory ITP, they receive immunosuppresants or a number of different treatment regimens. No single treatment algorysm is suitable for all patients.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / therapy*
  • Splenectomy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents