Thrombokinetics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with D-penicillamine.
The mechanism of D-penicillamine induced thrombocytopenia in rheumatoid arthritis was investigated by measuring platelet life-span and platelet production rate in 2 groups of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with 250-750 mg/day D-penicillamine, 14 with a normal platelet count and 9 with thrombocytopenia (platelet count 50-130 X 10(9)/1). Age matched control patients not treated with D-penicillamine included 14 with rheumatoid arthritis and 9 with osteoarthritis. The platelet life-span was normal, but platelet production rate was significantly reduced in the thrombocytopenic patients, suggesting that D-penicillamine causes thrombocytopenia through bone marrow suppression.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*
D010396:Penicillamine