title: Comparison of two dose regimens of zidovudine in an open, randomized, multicentre study for severe HIV-related thrombocytopenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of two dose regimens of zidovudine in the treatment of severe HIV-related thrombocytopenia (TP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-four patients with severe HIV-related TP and platelet counts < 50 x 10(9)/l were enrolled in an open study at six centres. Patients were randomized into two groups to receive zidovudine (group A, 500 mg per day; group B, 1000 mg per day) for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Platelet counts were determined monthly and patients categorized as complete responders (CR; platelets > 100 x 10(9)/l), partial responders (PR; platelets > 50 to < 100 x 10(9)/l), or failures (F; platelets to < 50 x 10(9)/l). CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, HIV antigenaemia, beta 2-microglobulin, white blood cells, mean cell volume and haemoglobin were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-one patients (35 and 36 in groups A and B, respectively) completed the study; 11.4% of group A patients were CR and 45.7% PR; 38.9% of group B were CR and 33.3% PR. Increase in mean platelet counts was dose-related, more rapid in the higher dose group and remained significantly higher after 6 months of treatment (56.4 x 10(9)/l in group A versus 98.2 x 10(9)/l in group B; P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm the efficacy of zidovudine in the treatment of severe HIV-related TP. The average for CR and PR in the two groups was 64.8%; the higher dose of zidovudine was more effective at increasing platelet counts.
authors: ITP Study Group, Ospedale Niguarda Cà Granda, Milano, Italia.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Landonio
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Cinque
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nosari
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Gafa
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Rizzo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Coen
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Tirelli
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Caggese
authors: U
authors: U
authors: di Luzio Paparatti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Lazzarin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015215:Zidovudine