title: Therapy of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults: experiences from Thailand.
abstract: Results of different types of treatment in 416 adults with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analyzed. Of 368 patients treated with corticosteroids, 278 (77%) achieved complete response (CR ie, normalization of platelet count). However, only 18% of patients had continued complete response (CCR). Results of splenectomy was analyzed in 126 patients, 49% of them achieved CCR and 76% of them had beneficial effects from the operation. Emergency splenectomy was a life saving procedure in 8 of 11 patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. Vinca alkaloids gave a 50% transient CR. Immunosuppressive agents (cyclophosphamide, azathioprine) resulted in only 11% CCR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wanachiwanawin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Visudhiphan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinankijagum
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vatanavicharn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids; D011239:Prednisolone