However, some ITP patients are unresponsive to multiple lines of therapy with prolonged and severe thrombocytopenia. The diagnosis of refractory ITP is mainly performed by exclusion of other disorders and is based on the clinician’s expertise.
Full Answer
Can ITP be managed as an outpatient procedure?
Most other cases of ITP can be managed as an outpatient. One would expect an adequate rise in platelet counts that can control bleeding within 3 days. C. When is the Patient Ready for Discharge.
What are the challenges faced by ITP patients?
Once diagnosed, ITP patients experience a range of physical and emotional challenges as they seek to monitor their platelet counts, balance treatment side effects and manage the fear and frequent reality of relapse [40]. Despite recent advances in the management of ITP, many areas need further research.
Does ITP go away on its own?
Children usually improve without treatment. Most adults with ITP will eventually need treatment, as the condition often becomes severe or long-term (chronic) ITP. Treatment may include a number of approaches, such as medications to boost your platelet count or surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy).
What are the treatment options for ITP?
Most adults with ITP will eventually need treatment, as the condition often becomes severe or long term (chronic). Treatment may include a number of approaches, such as medications to boost your platelet count or surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy).
What happens if you dont treat ITP?
The specific symptoms of ITP are affected by your platelet count: The lower your count, the more likely you are to have spontaneous and unexpected bleeding, both internally and externally. Without treatment to correct platelet counts, bleeding can become severe and life threatening.
What is the most common cause of mortality in patients with ITP?
The primary cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is hemorrhage. Spontaneous or accidental trauma–induced intracranial hemorrhage is the most frequent cause of death in association with ITP.
Does ITP get worse over time?
Does it get worse over time? No, unlike autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis it is not a progressive disease, but the risk of bleeding is present from the day the disease develops. ITP can go into temporary or permanent remission.
What is considered severe ITP?
People with platelet counts under 10,000 are considered to have a severe case of ITP. For many, a count of 30,000 or more is sufficient to prevent a serious bleed.
How low can platelet count go before death?
When the platelet count drops below 20,000, the patient may have spontaneous bleeding that may result in death.
Can low platelets cause sudden death?
The end result is not only a low platelet count, but also damage to internal organs. In particular, TTP injures your brain and kidneys. TTP can cause symptoms ranging from confusion to kidney failure, seizures, stroke, and even coma and death. It can strike at any age, but most often affects young women.
Can ITP turn into leukemia?
ITP does not turn into a more serious blood disorder, like leukemia or aplastic anemia. It is usually not a sign that their child will later develop other autoimmune conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or “lupus”).
How long does rituximab last for ITP?
Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting a B-cell antigen (CD20) that has been used widely as a second line therapy for ITP with a promising response rate approaching 60% in some studies. A response is usually seen between week one to eight of therapy and could last for five years in some patients.
Why is my immune system attacking my platelets?
What causes idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? In ITP, the immune system is stimulated to attack your body's own platelets. Most often this is a result of antibody production against platelets. In a small number of cases, a type of white blood cell called T-cells will directly attack platelets.
Can ITP be fatal?
Yes, ITP can potentially be fatal. However, that could be said for virtually every disease, including many which are usually not very serious. Extremely rare but fatal complications can occur from strep throats, the common cold (which may lead to pneumonia), chickenpox, or what seems to be a mild case of indigestion.
What is the alarming level of platelets?
A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Having more than 450,000 platelets is a condition called thrombocytosis; having less than 150,000 is known as thrombocytopenia.
Can you live with zero platelets?
Platelets are necessary to help the blood to clot. Anytime a blood vessel is damaged and leaks blood, the odd-shaped and sticky platelets clump together to plug the leak and prevent ongoing blood loss. Without enough platelets, we would quickly bleed to death.