title: Immune thrombocytopenia in adults: an update.
abstract: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults is a chronic disease resulting from increased platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. Splenectomy remains the most effective and durable treatment in cases that are refractory to first-line therapy, but its use has declined because of the availability of alternate medical therapy, the associated risk of infection, and concern for surgery-related complications. Rituximab (Rituxan) may be an effective alternative but carries the risk of immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Fairview Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Hospitals, USA.
authors.forename: Swapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thota
authors.forename: Gaurav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kistangari
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daw
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spiro
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D053628:Receptors, Thrombopoietin / Q000819:agonists; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D053628:Receptors, Thrombopoietin