title: Refractory immune thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus: response to mycophenolate mofetil.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenia (IT) is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although severe IT (<20 x 10(9)/L) occurs in about 5-10% of patients, usually in the context of active disease, the absence of randomized controlled trials has not allowed the development of evidence-based guidelines for managing this condition. Conventionally, high-dose glucocorticoids are considered first-line therapy. Adjunctive medical and surgical treatments for patients with an absent or partial response to glucocorticoids have met with varying degrees of success. We describe an SLE patient with IT refractory to high-dose corticosteroids, pulse methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, whose platelet counts normalized during therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Pending further controlled studies to confirm this observation, we suggest that MMF may be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of glucocorticoid-refractory immune thrombocytopenia in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. sheilav@nuh.com.sg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vasoo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thumboo
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone