Prediction of response to splenectomy in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Predictive Factors for Success of Laparoscopic Splenectomy for ITP

Background and Objectives:

Therapy-resistant immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most frequent indication of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). It ensures the best results for this disease compared with possible second-line pharmacologic therapies. Therefore, learning about the safety of the surgical method and its long-term efficacy is important, as is selecting patients who respond to surgical treatment. Our purpose was to analyze the safety of LS and the short-and long-term prognostic significance of known perioperative parameters.

Methods:

We performed 40 LSs for ITP from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2015. We analyzed the roles of the perioperative parameters by using evidence-based guidelines.

Results:

Complete response (CR; platelet count over 100 × 10⁹/L) occurred in 28 cases (70%) and partial response (PR; platelet count between 30 and 100 × 10⁹/L) in 5 cases (12.5%). Below the age of 50, 9% (2/22) of the patients had no response (NR; platelet count not increasing over 30 × 10⁹/L), 28% (5/18) over the age of 50 (P = .023) had no response. In the steroid-refractory group, 30% did not respond, whereas 100% of the steroid-dependent patients had a CR (NR: 7/23 steroid refractory vs 0/17 steroid dependent; P = .027). The patients were followed up for a mean of 10.9 ± 6.9 years, and a long-term response (LTR) was detected in 21 of the responders (n = 33). Of the patients who originally had a CR, 71% also achieved LTR, whereas only 20% of the PR patients did.

Conclusion:

LS is safe and remains the most effective second-line treatment for ITP. In our study, younger age and response to preoperative steroids were predictive factors for the long-term success of splenectomy.

Predictive Factors of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Long-term Survival in Chinese Adults Undergoing Laparoscopic Splenectomy

The study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) in Chinese patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This was a retrospective analysis of 114 patients with ITP who underwent LS from 2001 to 2013. Patients were classified according to response at last contact: complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and no response (NR). Patients with CR had the highest platelet levels and patients with NR had the lowest. A correlation was observed between postoperative peak platelet count and platelet count on 2-month postoperative (r=0.829, P<0.01). In total, 27 patients showed NR to LS. Ten patients recurred within 3 years. The 140-month response rate to LS was 68%. Multivariate analysis showed that age and postoperative platelet count were independently associated with CR/PR. In conclusion, LS achieved good outcomes in Chinese patients with ITP. Age and postoperative peak platelet were independently associated with response.

The Centenary of Immune Thrombocytopenia-Part 2: Revising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in children and adolescents and can be considered as a paradigmatic model of autoimmune disease. This second part of our review describes the clinical presentation of ITP, the diagnostic approach and overviews the current therapeutic strategies. Interestingly, it suggests an algorithm useful for differential diagnosis, a crucial process to exclude secondary forms of immune thrombocytopenia (IT) and non-immune thrombocytopenia (non-IT), which require a different therapeutic management. Advances in understanding the pathogenesis led to new therapeutic targets, as thrombopoietin receptor agonists, whose role in treatment of ITP will be discussed in this work.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for primary immune thrombocytopenia: Current status and challenges

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disorder affecting both adults and children, characterised by bleeding complications and low platelet counts. Corticosteroids are the first-line therapy for ITP, but only 20%-40% of cases achieve a stable response. Splenectomy is the main therapy for patients failing to respond to corticosteroids for decades, and about two-thirds of patients achieve a long-lasting response. Although some new drugs are developed to treat ITP as second-line therapies in recent years, splenectomy is still the better choice with less cost and more efficiency. Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for ITP proves to be a safe technique associated with lower morbidity and faster recovery and similar hematological response when compared to traditional open splenectomy. Based on the unified hematological outcome criteria by current international consensus, the response rate of splenectomy should be reassessed. So far, there are not widely accepted preoperative clinical indicators predicting favorable response to LS. Since the patients undergoing surgery take the risk of complications and poor hematological outcome, the great challenge facing the doctors is to identify a reliable biomarker for predicting long-term outcome of splenectomy which can help make the decision of operation.

Long-term outcome following splenectomy for chronic and persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults and children : Splenectomy in ITP

The purpose of this research is to study the outcomes of splenectomy for chronic and persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This study is a retrospective analysis of 254 patients with chronic or persistent ITP who underwent splenectomy at CMC, Vellore, India between 1995 and 2009. Responses were assessed based on standard criteria. One hundred and sixty seven adults and 87 children with a median age of 29 years (range 2-64) with persistent (n = 103) or chronic ITP (n = 151) was studied. Response was seen in 229 (90.2 %) including CR in 74.4 % at a median time of 1 day (range 1-54). Infections following splenectomy were reported in 16 %. Deaths related to post splenectomy sepsis occurred in 1.57 % and major bleeding in 0.78 %. At median follow-up of 54.3 months (range 1-290), 178 (70.1 %) remain in remission. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival (OS) is 97.4 ± 1.2 % and 94.9 ± 2.1 %, respectively, while the 5-year and 10-year event-free survival (EFS) is 76.5 + 2.9 % and 71.0 + 3.9 %, respectively. Splenectomy is associated with long-term remission rates of >70 % in chronic or persistent ITP.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Secondary to Subclinical Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Role of Levothyroxine in Improving the Clinical Outcome of ITP

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common cause of isolated thrombocytopenia in healthy people. ITP may rarely coexist with autoimmune thyroid disorders, which may indicate more complex defect in immune system. Primary ITP usually responds well to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. However, ITP may be difficult to treat when associated with thyroid autoimmune disorders. In such cases, treating the underlying thyroid disorder may significantly improve platelet count and can either cause remission of disease or improve response to standard ITP therapy. We report a case of 47-year-old male who was diagnosed with ITP and was also found to have subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine in our patient significantly improved the platelets, thus successfully bringing the disease in remission.

Late results after splenectomy in adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Background:

We performed a retrospective study on patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) to evaluate the response to splenectomy in relation to preoperative platelet count.

Materials and Methods:

Two groups of patients operated on with laparoscopic or open splenectomy for ITP, with a platelet count ≤30,000/μL (study group: 22 patients) and >30,000/μL (control group: 18 patients), respectively, were compared. The two groups were homogeneous in relation to age, sex, length of preoperative steroid therapy, and time interval between diagnosis and surgery (Student t test with P > .1). The results of surgery were evaluated at one year after splenectomy. Positive response to surgery, according to the American Society of Hematologic Guidelines, was considered in patients with a postoperative platelet count ≥100,000/μL or in patients with a postoperative platelet count ≥30,000/μL and a twofold increase in platelet count from baseline, in the absence of bleeding.

The postoperative platelet count increase rate was statistically related to preoperative platelet count in both the study and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test for independent sample and the Pearson correlation in a 2-tailed test.

Results:

No relationship between preoperative platelet count and postoperative platelet percent increase was observed in the control group (r = –0.41; P = .089), whereas a significant negative correlation (r = –0.68; P = .0004) was found in the study group.

Conclusions:

A higher increase of postoperative percent platelet count may be predicted in patients with a low preoperative platelet count.

Does the site of platelet sequestration predict the response to splenectomy in adult patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura?

Splenectomy is the only potentially curative treatment for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults. However, one-third of the patients relapse without predictive factors identified. We evaluate the predictive value of the site of platelet sequestration on the response to splenectomy in patients with ITP. Eighty-two consecutive patients with ITP treated by splenectomy between 1992 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Platelet sequestration site was studied by (111)Indium-oxinate-labeled platelets in 93% of patients. Response to splenectomy was defined at last follow-up as: complete response (CR) for platelet count (PC) ≥100 × 10(9)/L, response (R) for PC≥30 × 10(9)/L and <100 × 10(9)/L with absence of bleeding, no response (NR) for PC<30 × 10(3)/L or significant bleeding. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 81 patients (conversion rate of 16%), and open approach in one patient. Median follow-up was 57 months (range, 1-235). Platelet sequestration study was performed in 93% of patients: 50 patients (61%) exhibited splenic sequestration, 9 (11%) hepatic sequestration and 14 patients (17%) mixed sequestration. CR was obtained in 72% of patients, R in 25% and NR in 4% (two with splenic sequestration, one with hepatic sequestration). Preoperative PC, age at diagnosis, hepatic sequestration and male gender were significant for predicting CR in univariate analysis, but only age (HR = 1.025 by one-year increase, 95% CI [1.004-1.047], p = 0.020) and pre-operative PC (HR = 0.112 for > 100 versus <=100, 95% CI [0.025-0.493], p = 0.004) were significant predictors of recurrence-free survival in multivariate analysis. Response to splenectomy was independent of the site of platelet sequestration in patients with ITP. Pre-operative platelet sequestration study in these patients cannot be recommended.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for primary immune thrombocytopenia: clinical outcome and prognostic factors

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is considered the standard treatment for patients with refractory primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with ITP who underwent LS during the last 17 years and who had a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included. Several perioperative variables such as age, platelet count, and duration of preoperative therapy were recorded and analyzed, looking for potential predictive variables of clinical response.

RESULTS

In total, 150 patients were included: 108 (72%) women and 42 (28%) men, with a mean age of 37.3±15.8 years. In the evaluation 1 year after surgery, 133 (88.7%) patients had achieved complete response, 4 (2.7%) had a response, and in 13 (8.6%) there was no response. None of the analyzed preoperative variables was identified as a predictive factor of response at 1 year. Immediate responders after surgery (≥150,000 platelets/mL during the first week) had a higher platelet count and rate of complete response at 1 year (94.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

LS has a high success rate in patients with refractory ITP. Potential predictive indicators of success remain to be determined.

Long-term results after splenectomy in adult idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: comparison between open and laparoscopic procedures

BACKGROUND

Only a few studies have addressed long-term results comparing laparoscopic and open splenectomy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We analyzed the 1-year results comparing age, sex, length of preoperative steroid therapy, diagnosis-to-splenectomy interval, and preoperative platelet count in relation to postoperative response after open and laparoscopic splenectomy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data collected from two groups, treated by laparoscopic and open splenectomy, respectively, of 20 patients each were retrospectively reviewed. Positive response to splenectomies, evaluated according to the International Working Group guidelines reported by the American Society of Hematology, was statistically related through Student's t test and the Pearson correlation test to the above-mentioned factors.

RESULTS

Positive response to splenectomy was observed in 80% and 85% of patients, respectively, in the laparoscopic and open groups (P > .10). No statistical differences were observed comparing each of the studied factors between laparoscopic and open splenectomy responder patients (P > .10). When percentage increase of postoperative platelet count was related to diagnosis-to-splenectomy interval, a positive correlation was found in the laparoscopic group (r = 0.544, P < .05). In addition, a significant negative correlation in both groups was observed comparing preoperative platelet count and percentage postoperative platelet increase, with a greater increase of postoperative platelet count in patients with a lower preoperative platelet count (laparoscopic group, r = -0.663; open group, r = -0.656; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In this series long-term results after laparoscopic splenectomy in ITP patients were as effective as after the open approach. Higher postoperative platelet percentage increase was achieved in both groups in patients with a lower preoperative platelet count. Finally, laparoscopic splenectomy in this study seems to be superior to the open approach in patients with a longer diagnosis-to-splenectomy interval.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated with biliary atresia: a rare occurrence and literature review

The association of biliary atresia (BA) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is extremely rare, with only 2 cases being reported in the literature. This report describes the very rare case of a 1-year-old boy with BA complicated with ITP after cholangitis and the successful steroid treatment of ITP. We review the literature on this type of relationship between BA and ITP and discuss the clinical features of this complication. Furthermore, the possible cause of the onset of ITP complicated with BA was explored in this report.