title: Ascorbic acid for the treatment of chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
abstract: We describe our experience with ascorbic acid in the treatment of chronic refractory ITP. Nine patients, 5 males and 4 females aged 27-74 years, 4 of whom were previously splenectomized, received the drug at a daily dose of 2 grams. After 2-12 months (median 4) of treatment, a partial response was observed in only one patient, while no response was registered in the other eight. Our data, analyzed together with those of the literature, allow us to conclude that ascorbic acid may not be considered a drug of interest in the treatment of chronic refractory ITP.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ematologia L. e A. Seràgnoli, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vianelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gugliotta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianni
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Belmonte
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Catani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001205:Ascorbic Acid