The predictive value of clinical and platelet kinetic parameters for treatment outcome in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was investigated in 75 patients with platelets<or=20x10(9)/L. The platelet kinetic studies showed that the platelet production rate (PPR) was decreased (<100x10(9)/day), normal, or increased (>355x10(9)/day) in 33%, 48%, and 19% of patients, respectively. All patients started with prednisone at diagnosis (1 mg/kg/day). Initial complete and partial response (CR/PR) rate was 84% and a durable CR/PR (>or=6 months without treatment) was attained in 44% of the patients. Durable CR/PR was noticed in 64% of the patients with decreased PPR during a median follow-up time without treatment of 81 (range 18-92) months, compared to 34% of the patients with normal or increased PPR during a median follow-up time without treatment of 141 (range 10-284) months (p=0.03). Splenectomy was performed in 32% of patients with decreased PPR and in 62% of patients with normal or increased PPR (p=0.03). In conclusion, ITP patients with suppressed PPR have a significant higher durable CR/PR rate to prednisone therapy and are less frequently exposed to splenectomy than those with a normal or increased PPR.