title: Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) in Zimbabwe.
abstract: 80 patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) seen in Zimbabwe between January 1980 and December 1987 are presented. There was a female preponderance (male to female ratio of 1:1,9); and the mean age +/- s.d. was 18.1 +/- 14.5 (range 0.5 to 59) years. Seventy nine per cent of the acute AITP patients presented within the first decade of life; whilst 25% and 75% of the chronic AITP cases were seen below and above ten years respectively. Epistaxis was the commonest form of presentation; occurring in 70% of all cases. Platelet counts considered to be in the potentially dangerous level i.e. less than 40-50 X 10(9)/l were respectively found in 92% and 82% of the acute and chronic cases. The disease is not rare in Zimbabwe and presents with a picture identical with that previously described in Caucasian and other African populations.
authors.affiliation: University of Zimbabwe, Medical School, Department of Haematology, Harare.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mukiibi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D013156:Splenectomy; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D011241:Prednisone