Autoimmune thrombocytopenia in adults: clinical experience

Diagnostic and treatment algorithms in autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) are still somewhat controversial. We present our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of 39 AITP patients, hospitalized at our department between 1990 and 1995, and discuss alternative approaches. There were 10 male and 29 female patients, median age 47 (range 18-75) years. All patients had isolated thrombocytopenia and normal or increased number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow. Platelet count lower than 15 x 10(9)/L was found in 25 (64.1%) patients. Eighteen (54.5%) patients responded well to standard and two (6.1%) to high doses of steroids, whereas 18.2% of the patients responded well to other immunosuppressive therapy. Antiplatelet antibodies were found only in 4 (10.2%) patients. Our conclusion was that a half of adult AITP patients achieve satisfactory recovery on standard doses of steroids.