Management of immune thrombocytopenia in adults: a population-based analysis of the French hospital discharge database from 2009 to 2012

When is the use of intravenous immunoglobulin appropriate in immune thrombocytopaenia?

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is the gold standard treatment for severe cases of immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP). However, its cost, limited duration of efficacy and market supply tension have led French guidelines to reserve IVIg for ITP patients with formal contra-indications to corticosteroids, with French bleeding score ('Khellaf score') > 8, and corticosteroid-resistant patients either with Khellaf score ≤ 8 or in preparation for an invasive procedure or during pregnancy. We studied the prescribing practices of IVIg for ITP in real-life conditions and assessed their compliance with French guidelines. A monocentric retrospective study was conducted between 2016 and 2020 among 114 patients hospitalized in our unit, for a total of 208 IVIg treatments. In 37% of cases, the Khellaf score was >8, validating IVIg prescription according to French guidelines. In the remaining cases, reasons noted for use of IVIg included corticosteroid resistance (33.7%), preparation for an invasive procedure (8.5%), context of pregnancy (6.6%) and contra-indication to corticosteroids (3.3%). After analysis, IVIg prescription was considered valid according to current French guidelines in 84.4% of cases. Non-compliant IVIg prescription was more frequent in younger patients (p = 0.027). Concomitant anti-coagulation was also noted as an argument for IVIg prescription outside of the current French guidelines.

Clinical Epidemiology, Treatment Outcome and Mortality Rate of Newly Diagnosed Immune Thrombocytopenia in Adult Multicentre Study in Malaysia

Background

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is well characterized in Western, European and other Asia-Pacific countries. Nevertheless, the clinical epidemiology, treatment pattern and disease outcome of ITP in Malaysia are still limited and not well known.

Objective

This study aimed to describe the clinical epidemiology, treatment outcome and mortality of ITP patients in haematology tertiary multicentre in Malaysia.

Methods

Clinical and laboratory data of newly diagnosed adults with ITP by a platelet count <100 × 10⁹/L from January 2010 to December 2020 were identified and analyzed.

Results

Out of 500 incident ITP, 71.8% were females with a striking age preponderance of both genders among those aged 18–29 years. The median age was 36 years. The median platelet count was 17.5 × 10⁹/L, 23.0% had a secondary ITP, 34.6% had a Charlson’s score ≥1, 53.0% had bleeding symptoms including 2.2% intracranial bleedings (ICB). Helicobacter pylori screening was performed in <5% of cases. Persistency and chronicity rates were 13.6% and 41.8%, respectively. Most (80.6%) were treated at diagnosis onset and 31.2% needed second-line treatment. Throughout the course of ITP, 11.0% of patients died; 3.0% and 8.0% with bleeding and non-bleeding related ITP.

Conclusion

This study confirms the epidemiology of ITP is comparable with worldwide studies. Our incidence is high in the female, Malay ethnicity, primary ITP and events of cutaneous bleeding at ITP onset with 18–29 years predominance age group for both genders. The frequency of persistent and chronic ITP is inconsistent with published literature. Corticosteroids and immunotherapies are the most prescribed first-line and second-line pharmacological treatments. Thrombopoietin receptor agonist medications (TPO-RAs) usage is restricted and splenectomy is uncommon. Our mortality rate is similar but ITP related bleeding death is fourth-fold lower than previous studies. Mortality risks of our ITP patients include age ≥60 years, male, severe bleeding at presentation, CCI≥1 and secondary ITP.

How do patients and physicians perceive immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) as a disease? Results from Indian analysis of ITP World Impact Survey (I-WISh)

Purpose

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is primarily considered a bleeding disorder; its impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is under-recognized. We aimed to assess how aligned patient and physician perceptions are regarding ITP-associated symptoms, HRQoL, and disease management in India.

Methods

Patients and physicians (hematologists/hemato-oncologists) from India who participated in the global ITP World Impact Survey (I-WISh) were included in this subgroup analysis (survey). Physicians were recruited via a local, third party recruiter in India. In addition to completing a survey themselves, physicians were asked to invite consulting patients on a consecutive basis to complete a survey. All surveys were completely independently by the respondents online in English. The respondents took 30 min to complete the questionnaire. Patients also completed the newly developed ITP Life Quality Index (ILQI) that included 10 questions on the impact of ITP on the following: work or studies, time taken off work or education, ability to concentrate, social life, sex life, energy levels, ability to undertake daily tasks, ability to provide support, hobbies, and capacity to exercise.

Results

A total of 65 patients and 21 physicians were included in this study. Average disease duration from diagnosis-to-survey-completion was 5.3 years. The most severe symptoms reported by patients at diagnosis were menorrhagia (15 of 19 patients [79%]), anxiety surrounding unstable platelet counts (17 of 28 patients [61%]), and fatigue (27 of 46 patients [59%]); these were also the key symptoms they wanted to be resolved. In contrast, physicians perceived petechiae (19 of 21 patients [90%]), bleeding-from-gums (8 of 21 patients [86%]), and purpura (16 of 21 patients [76%]) as the most common symptoms. While the important treatment goals for patients were healthy blood counts (42 of 65 patients [65%]), improved QoL (35 of 65 patients [54%]), and prevention of worsening of ITP (33 of 65 patients [51%]), physicians’ goals were reduction in spontaneous bleeding (17 of 21 physicians [81%]), better QoL (14 of 21 physicians [67%]), and symptom improvement (9 of 21 physicians [43%]). More than half the patients reported that ITP affected their work life/studies, social life, and energy levels, thereby negatively impacting their QoL. Patients were almost entirely dependent on family and friends for support.

Conclusions

This survey highlights the substantial discrepancy in patients’ and physicians’ perceptions regarding ITP-associated symptoms and treatment goals in India. Based on the identified gaps, educating physicians on aspects of ITP beyond bleeding, and highlighting patients’ under-recognized symptoms/needs through support-systems should be prioritized in the future.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41687-022-00429-y.

[Challenges and potential solutions in first-line treatments for immune thrombocytopenia in adults]

The first line treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is well established and based on short course of corticosteroids associated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) for the most severe forms. Predniso(lo)ne is the corticosteroid agent usually given but dexamethasone appears as an alternative. Some guidelines recommend to use dexamethasone as first line when a rapid increase of platelet count is required. Dexamethasone could be used rather than IVIg for moderate to severe but non life-threatening bleeding manifestations. Other therapeutic options such as anti FcRn monoclonal antibodies or recombinant FcγR currently in development for ITP could be an option in the future. In newly diagnosed ITP, we unfortunately lack robust predictive risk factors of severity and chronic outcome. Identifying such factors could be helpful for considering the early use of some treatments which are commonly used as second or third line.

Second-line treatment trends and long-term outcomes of 392 children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: the French experience over the past 25 years

Childhood chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP) is a rare disease. In severe cases, there is no evidence for the optimal therapeutic strategy. Our aim was to describe the real-life management of non-selected children with cITP at diagnosis. Since 2004, patients less than 18 years old with cITP have been enrolled in the national prospective cohort, OBS'CEREVANCE. From 1990 to 2014, in 29 centres, 392 children were diagnosed with cITP. With a median follow-up of six years (2·0-25), 45% did not need second-line therapy, and 55% (n = 217) received one or more second lines, mainly splenectomy (n = 108), hydroxychloroquine (n = 61), rituximab (n = 61) or azathioprine (n = 40). The overall five-year further second-line treatment-free survival was 56% [95% CI 49·5-64.1]. The use of splenectomy significantly decreased over time. Hydroxychloroquine was administered to children with positive antinuclear antibodies, more frequently older and girls, and reached 55% efficacy. None of the patients died. Ten years after the initial diagnosis, 55% of the 56 followed children had achieved complete remission. Children with cITP do not need second-line treatments in 45% of cases. Basing the treatment decision on the pathophysiological pathways is challenging, as illustrated by ITP patients with positive antinuclear antibodies treated with hydroxychloroquine.

Patient characteristics when starting treatment and patterns of treatment in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia

: Asymptomatic patients with primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are not recommended treatment if their platelet counts are above 30 × 10/l. Factors such as age and comorbidities may influence clinical manifestations and should be considered for treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of clinical characteristics for initiation of ITP treatment, and the patterns of ITP treatment given. We performed an observational cohort study in Sweden with information from medical records and National Health Registers. Adults diagnosed with incident primary ITP between years 2009 and 2016 were included. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the impact of factors predicting treatment start. Out of 858 patients with chronic ITP from 71 hospitals we identified 585 (68%) with a first ITP treatment. For 537 (92%) corticosteroids were the first choice. The median platelet counts at start of treatment was 12 × 10/l (interquartile range 5-27 × 10/l). The variables predicting treatment start were platelet counts below 20 × 10/l and treatment with antihypertensive drugs. Patients with diabetes were less likely to receive corticosteroids. Severe bleeding occurred in 75 (13%) of the patients. Platelet counts below 20 × 10/l, antihypertensive treatment and bleedings were the strongest predictors of treatment start, diabetes yielded lower odds to start corticosteroid treatment. The majority of the patients had corticosteroids as first treatment while second treatment was diverse. Asymptomatic thrombocytopenia is not considered a reason as such for initiating treatment. In the latter years, splenectomy seemed to occur later in the course of treatment.

Efficacy and tolerability of old and new drugs used in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia: Results from a long-term observation in clinical practice

Background

Many patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may require special attention and long-term treatment. Little is known on the efficacy and tolerability of the drugs used in practice.

Material and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the results of therapy of 400 patients with chronic ITP. All Patients were treated at our institution between 1996–2016 under consideration of guidelines, general recommendations, and individual aspects, including gender, age, weight, comorbidity, patient’s medical history and bleeding risk.

Results

Treatment was not required in 25% of patients (n = 100) during observation. In treated patients (n = 300), the rate of patients that responded and tolerated treatment with prednisolone was 59% (52/88), with azathioprine 32% (29/90), with eltrombopag 49% (31/63), with romiplostim 59% 27/45, with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulines) 75% (94/126), with anti-D 37% (19/52) and with dexamethasone 60% (25/42) patients. Eighteen treated patients (6%) entered sustained remission after treatment with various drugs. Twenty-six patients underwent splenectomy (Splx) resulting in sustained remission in 15 cases (60%). Only two patients remained refractory to Splx and to all used drugs.

Discussion

None of the currently available drugs used in the treatment of ITP are invariably safe and effective. Responses, the duration of response, intolerability, and the course of disease are unpredictable. Although the treatment of ITP has considerably improved in the recent years, the currently available drugs may rarely cure affected patients. The need for safe and effective therapy in ITP is evident. Optimal treatment decisions for each patient remains a challenge in many cases.

Dapsone therapy for refractory immune thrombocytopenia patients: a case series

Background

Dapsone has been recommended as a second-line immunosuppressive agent for patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of dapsone therapy in patients with ITP.

Results

Nine ITP patients were treated with dapsone at a dose of 50–100 mg/day between May 2013 and March 2016. All patients were refractory to multiple previous treatments, with a median of 7 agents (range, 4–8), and 3 patients had undergone a previous splenectomy. The median pre-treatment platelet count was 4×10⁹/L (range, 3–27×10⁹/L). Only 1 patient (11.1%) responded to dapsone therapy. No severe adverse events were observed, except for 1 case of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome.

Conclusion

Although dapsone is still useful for some patients, it may be ineffective in heavily pretreated patients with profound thrombocytopenia.

Newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia adults: Clinical epidemiology, exposure to treatments, and evolution. Results of the CARMEN multicenter prospective cohort

The clinical epidemiology of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is not well known in adults. This study was aimed at assessing the clinical epidemiology of incident ITP adults, the factors associated with chronicity and exposure to treatments. This study was conducted in the CARMEN registry, a multicentric prospective cohort aimed at including all newly diagnosed ITP adults in the French Midi-Pyrénées region, South of France (3 million inhabitants) from June 2013. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted. Out of 121 newly diagnosed ITP until December 2014, 113 patients were followed in the region and gave informed consent. Median age was 65 years. Half of the patients were female, 20.3% had a secondary ITP, 50.4% had a Charlson's score ≥1, median platelet count was 17 × 10⁹ /L; 50.9% had bleeding symptoms, including 2 severe gastrointestinal tract and 1 intracranial bleedings; 21.4% had another autoimmune disease and 20.3% experienced an infection within the six weeks before ITP onset. Persistency and chronicity rates were 68.2% and 58.7%, respectively. Antinuclear antibodies were associated with chronicity (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.08-7.74). Sixty-eight (60.2%) patients were treated during the week following the diagnosis. Factors associated with the use of intravenous corticosteroids were secondary ITP and high bleeding score. Those associated with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were a high bleeding score and low platelet count. In conclusion, severe bleeding is rare at ITP onset. Associated autoimmune diseases and recent infections were frequent. Antinuclear antibodies seem predictors of chronicity. Intravenous corticosteroids and IVIg were frequently used.

Epidemiology and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia: A nationwide population-based study in Korea

INTRODUCTION

The epidemiology of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is not well characterized in an Asian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2010 to June 2014, ITP patients were identified using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate of ITP was 5.3 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 5.1-5.5). The overall incidence rate ratios of children under 15years old to adults and females to males were 3.8 (95% CI: 3.7-3.9) and 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2-1.4), respectively. Of the total 10,814 patients, 3388 patients (31%) needed treatment for ITP; of these, 54% continued treatment for more than three months. First-line therapy consisted of corticosteroids (CS) in 42%, immunoglobulin (IVIg) in 35%, CS with IVIg in 19%, and other immunosuppressive agents (ISA) in 4%. Among treated patients, 75% of adults and 33% of children continued treatment for more than three months. After three months, the most frequently used drug was CS alone in 63% of patients. Only 104 patients underwent splenectomy; of these, 51% received salvage treatment after a median of one month after surgery (range: 0-27). The proportion of patients who received platelet transfusions of 12units or more per month for at least two consecutive months was significantly higher among patients treated for more than three months compared with patients who completed treatment within three months.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based study is the first to describe the incidence of ITP and its treatment reality for patients in Korea.

Role of Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Elderly Immune Thrombocytopenia

The management of older patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is still very challenging because of the fragility of older patients who frequently have severe comorbidities and/or disabilities. Corticosteroid-based first-line therapies fail in most of the cases and patients require a second-line treatment, choosing between rituximab, thrombopoietin-receptor agonists and splenectomy. The choice of the best treatment in elderly patients is a compromise between effectiveness and safety and laparoscopic splenectomy may be a good option with a complete remission rate of 67% at 60 months. But relapse and complication rates remain higher than in younger splenectomized ITP patients because elderly patients undergo splenectomy with unfavorable conditions (age >60 year-old, presence of comorbidities, or multiple previous treatments) which negatively influence the outcome, regardless the hematological response. For these reasons, a good management of concomitant diseases and the option to not use the splenectomy as the last possible treatment could improve the outcome of old splenectomized patients.

Immune thrombocytopenia in adults: a prospective cohort study of clinical features and predictors of outcome

This prospective observational cohort study aimed to explore the clinical features of incident immune thrombocytopenia in adults and predictors of outcome, while determining if a family history of autoimmune disorder is a risk factor for immune thrombocytopenia. All adults, 18 years of age or older, recently diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia were consecutively recruited across 21 hospital centers in France. Data were collected at diagnosis and after 12 months. Predictors of chronicity at 12 months were explored using logistic regression models. The association between family history of autoimmune disorder and the risk of developing immune thrombocytopenia was explored using a conditional logistic regression model after matching each case to 10 controls. One hundred and forty-three patients were included: 63% female, mean age 48 years old (Standard Deviation=19), and 84% presented with bleeding symptoms. Median platelet count was 10×10(9)/L. Initial treatment was required in 82% of patients. After 12 months, only 37% of patients not subject to disease-modifying interventions achieved cure. The sole possible predictor of chronicity at 12 months was a higher platelet count at baseline [Odds Ratio 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.06]. No association was found between outcome and any of the following features: age, sex, presence of either bleeding symptoms or antinuclear antibodies at diagnosis. Likewise, family history of autoimmune disorder was not associated with incident immune thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenia in adults has been shown to progress to a chronic form in the majority of patients. A lower platelet count could be indicative of a more favorable outcome.

Have splenectomy rate and main outcomes of ITP changed after the introduction of new treatments? A monocentric study in the outpatient setting during 35 years

In the last years, rituximab (RTX) and agonists of the thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) eltrombopag and romiplostim have provided new treatment options in persistent and chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Here, we analyzed the changes in therapeutic choices over time and their impact on clinical outcomes in a cohort of 557 ITP outpatients followed at the "L. and A. Seràgnoli" Institute of Hematology, Bologna, Italy, from 1980 to 2015. Overall 397 patients (71%) required front-line corticosteroids, mainly prednisone. Over the decades, splenectomy was delayed from second to third-line, but was steadily used in around 15-25% of patients refractory or relapsing after first-line treatment. Consensually, RTX and TPO-R agonists emerged as second and third-line therapy of choice, respectively. Splenectomy was associated with the best response rates and the lower incidences of relapse, while the relapse rate after RTX was comparable to that observed with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. The introduction of TPO-R agonists gave an alternative to the administration of immunosuppressive drugs and probably contributed to moderate the incidence of infectious complications that remained stable over the decades, despite an increasing use of RTX from the 2000s onwards. Overall responses were similar over time, with over 97% achieving a response in all time-periods. However, the cumulative risk of bleeding significantly decreased [14.3% (1980-89) vs. 7% (1990-99) vs. 5.6% (2000-09) vs. 0.2% (2010-15)] (P < 0.001), mainly thanks to the optimization of front-line corticosteroids therapy and to the wider availability of second and third-line therapies.

How we manage immune thrombocytopenia in the elderly

With prolonged life expectancy, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is frequent in elderly people. In this setting, ITP diagnosis is challenging because of the concern about an underlying myelodysplastic syndrome. Studies of older adults are lacking, and recommendations for treatment are based mainly on expert opinion. The therapeutic strategy differs from that for younger patients and must take into account the greater risk of bleeding and thrombosis, presence of comorbidities, possible impaired cognitive performance or poor life expectancy and concomitant medications, such as anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. Steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy remain the first-line treatments in elderly patients, but prolonged treatment with steroids should be avoided and IVIg treatment may lead to renal failure. Splenectomy is less effective than in young patients and risk of thrombosis is increased. Severe co-morbidities can also contraindicate surgery. Therefore, other second-line treatments are frequently preferred. Danazol and dapsone can be an option for the less severe ITP form. Rituximab is a good option except in patients with a history of infection or with hypogammaglobulinaemia. Thrombopoietin agonists are attractive, especially for patients with severe comorbidities or with limited life expectancy but the risk of thrombosis is a concern.

Is there still a place for "old therapies" in the management of immune thrombocytopenia?

New molecules such as rituximab or thrombopoietin receptor agonists (romiplostim and eltrombopag) have changed the management of immune thrombocytopenia. Therefore, old drugs which are less expensive and with a well-known benefit/risk ratio are being underused. We aim to define the place of dapsone, danazol, hydroxychloroquine and vinca-alkaloids at the era of targeted therapy in immune thrombocytopenia. With a response rate around 30% to 50%, dapsone is an interesting second-line therapy to be used just after corticosteroids. Patients with positive antinuclear antibodies can benefit from hydroxychloroquine with a 50% response rate. Because of its side effects, mostly virilization, danazol will be preferentially used in the elderly. Vinca-alkaloids could be temporarily used in patients that do not respond to intravenous immunoglobulins or to limit their use to avoid shortage periods.