Aims of the study: Thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) are approved for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), but their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains poorly investigated in clinical practice. This observational study aimed to gain insight into real-world patient-reported experiences of the burden of ITP and TPO-RAs.
Method: An online questionnaire of closed questions was used to collect views of patients with primary ITP from Switzerland, Austria, and Belgium, between September 2018 and April 2020.
Results: Of 46 patients who completed the questionnaire (total cohort), 41% were receiving TPO-RAs. A numerically higher proportion of patients reported being free from symptoms at the time of the questionnaire (54%) than at diagnosis (24%), irrespective of treatment type. Bleeding, the most frequently reported symptom at diagnosis (59%), was reduced at the time of the questionnaire (7%). Conversely, fatigue was reported by approximately 40% of patients at both diagnosis and the time of the questionnaire. Having a normal life and their disease under control was reported by 83% and 76%, respectively, but 41% were worried/anxious about their condition. Nearly 50% reported that ITP impaired their engagement in hobbies/sport or energy levels and 63% reported no impact on employment. When stratified by TPO-RA use, bleeding was better controlled in those receiving TPO-RAs than not (0% vs 11%). A numerically lower proportion receiving TPO-RAs than not reported worry/anxiety about their condition (16% vs 59%) and shifting from full-time to part-time employment (11% vs 22%). Similar proportions were satisfied with their therapy whether they were receiving TPO-RAs or not (89% vs 85%).
Conclusions: Many factors affect HRQoL in patients with ITP. Of patients receiving TPO-RAs, none experienced bleeding at the time of the questionnaire; they also showed a more positive perspective for some outcomes than those not using TPO-RAs. However, fatigue was not reduced by any treatment.