The prevalence of pantoprazole associated thrombocytopenia in a community hospital

The Clinical Challenge of Refractory Octreotide-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Active Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report

The association between octreotide and thrombocytopenia has been documented in the literature but it remains a rare finding. We are reporting a 59-year-old female patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who presented with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) bleeding secondary to esophageal varices. Initial management involved fluid and blood products resuscitation and initiation of both octreotide and pantoprazole infusion. However, the abrupt onset of severe thrombocytopenia was evident within a few hours of admission. Platelet transfusion and discontinuation of pantoprazole infusion failed to correct the abnormality prompting the holding off of octreotide. However, this also failed to control the decline in platelet count and prompted intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). This case helps to remind clinicians to closely monitor platelet count once octreotide is initiated. This allows early detection of the rare entity of octreotide-induced thrombocytopenia, which can be life-threatening with extremely low platelet count nadir.

Immune Thrombocytopenia Induced by Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies against the platelet surface antigens. ITP is a diagnosis of exclusion and is further categorized into primary and secondary ITP. The etiology of primary ITP is idiopathic, and secondary ITP is caused by infections and autoimmune disorders. Among infectious etiology of ITP, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes virus, and hepatitis B and C virus are common. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a rare cause of ITP, and the relationship between ITP and H. pylori is highlighted in the literature. We report a case of ITP in an adult female who presented with hematemesis and petechial rash in the lower limbs. Her initial laboratory results demonstrated thrombocytopenia, and the results of her gastric biopsy and stool antigen were positive for H. pylori. She was diagnosed with ITP induced by H. pylori because additional causes of ITP were not identified. Her clinical improvement and platelet recovery after initiating H. pylori eradication therapy were consistent with H. pylori-induced ITP.

Pantoprazole-Associated Thrombocytopenia: A Literature Review and Case Report

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly utilized in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeds (UGIBs) due to their ability to stabilize blood clot formation. PPIs have been shown to reduce rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis and reduce signs of bleeding at index endoscopy. While PPIs are well-tolerated and commonly administered to patients suffering from acute UGIBs, significant adverse effects may occur. Patients have reported various mild systemic symptoms during short-term PPI use, including headache, rash, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea. In general, serious side effects of PPIs tend to be mild during treatment periods under two weeks; however, as the treatment duration increases, side effects have been observed to increase in frequency and severity. PPI-induced thrombocytopenia is an exceedingly rarely reported adverse reaction that remains largely unstudied due to the dearth of patient cases. This adverse effect continues to be a diagnosis of exclusion, and there are no current evidence-based recommendations to approach this complication. Thrombocytopenia increases the risk of rebleeding and hemodynamic instability, which may be devastating to patients suffering from UGIBs. Here, we present a case of thrombocytopenia that began after the introduction of pantoprazole in the setting of a UGIB. The thrombocytopenia resolved promptly after cessation of the medication. We highlight this case to increase awareness of this rare finding given the lack of recommendations for short-term PPI-induced thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura secondary to Helicobacter pylori

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is a disorder characterized by decreased platelet count that may be secondary to infectious or autoimmune etiologies. We present a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding complicated by severe thrombocytopenia. Endoscopy revealed gastritis with pathology positive for Helicobacter pylori. Platelet count normalized after triple antibiotic therapy. The precise mechanism by which H. pylori causes immune thrombocytopenic purpura remains unclear; however, there are several plausible mechanisms. This case highlights the importance of keeping H. pylori in the differential in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia.

Pantoprazole-induced Thrombocytopenia: Unresponsive to Corticosteroid and Thrombocyte Concentrate Transfusion

INTRODUCTION

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class drug that is widely used in the treatment of SRMD (stress-related mucosal disease in critical ill patients. PPI are one class of drugs used commonly both for treatment and prophylactic therapy for stress ulcers in intensive care unit (ICU).

CASE

We report a case of a 51-year old male who was referred to PKU Hospital. He was admitted to ICU with diagnosis of Hyperosmolar Hyperglymic State and bronchopneumonia. Thrombocytopenia was noted in admission. There was more than 70% decrease in platelet count after initiation of pantoprazole. Patient received Thrombocyte Concentrate (TC) transfusion and corticosteroid iv for several days, but only had minor increase in platelet count. The platelets recovered after stopping pantoprazole.

DISCUSSION

In the present case report, another exposures to parenteral pantoprazole in a dose of 40 mg once daily reproduced the same adverse drug reaction. In comparison to lansoprazole, thrombocytopenia from pantoprazole is more severe that necessitate TC transfusion and corticosteroid trial. However, in the present case, TC transfusion and corticosteroid fail to escalate platelet count. This finding suggests probability of non-immune mechanism of pantoprazole-induced thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Pantoprazole may induce thrombocytopenia with new features that were immediately developed, resulting a decrease in platelet count >70%. The mechanism found in this case may be non-immune. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is one of the rare complications that has to be kept in mind with the use of pantoprazole.

Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Platelet Count: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective and preferred class of drugs used to treat peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and other diseases associated with increased production of gastric acid. PPIs in general have an excellent long-term safety profile and are well-tolerated. However, studies have shown some adverse reactions (e.g., osteoporosis, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, Vitamin B12 and iron deficiency, and acute interstitial nephritis) on long-term PPI use. Thrombocytopenia attributed to use of PPIs has been described in a few case reports and a retrospective study. In this case report, we describe a case of PPI-induced thrombocytopenia. In our patient, thrombocytopenia immediately developed after the initiation of PPI on two separate occasions and resolved after its discontinuation. The strong association found in our case implies the potential role of PPI in causing this rare but serious adverse reaction. Based on this case report and the observation from other studies, a PPI-induced adverse event should be considered as a possible etiology for new-onset idiopathic thrombocytopenia.

Etiology and complications of thrombocytopenia in hospitalized medical patients

To determine incidence, risk factors, hematologic complications, and prognostic significance of thrombocytopenia in the general medicine population, we performed a single-institutional, retrospective study of all adult patients admitted to a general medical ward from January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2014 with hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia. Those with moderate thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count nadir of <100 × 10^9/L and/or a >50% relative decline, were compared to those with less severe thrombocytopenia. Of the 7420 patients admitted, 465 (6.3%) developed hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia. Infection and moderate thrombocytopenia were present in 56 and 23%, respectively. Severe sepsis and antibiotic use were both associated with moderate thrombocytopenia, and proton pump inhibitor use was statistically significant in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Hematologic complications were more frequent with moderate thrombocytopenia, including frequency of HIT testing and red blood cell transfusions. Outcome metrics including transfer to an intensive care unit (OR 6.78), death during admission (OR 6.85), and length of stay (10.6 vs. 5.1 days) were all associated with moderate thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is associated with poor prognosis, and the association between moderate thrombocytopenia and proton pump inhibitor use is relatively novel and should be validated in prospective studies.

Perils and pitfalls of long-term effects of proton pump inhibitors

This review summarizes the literature regarding long-term adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). A PubMed search (1966 to February 2013) for English language studies was conducted using key terms PPI: omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole, pneumonia, Clostridium difficile, osteoporosis, risk of fractures, thrombocytopenia, rhabdomyolysis, anemia, iron deficiency, hypomagnesemia, vitamin B₁₂ and nephritis. The risk of pneumonia was increased 27-39% in short-term use of PPIs in three meta-analyses. C. difficile infections were also associated with the use of PPIs (odds ratio: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.81-2.55; p < 0.00001). This effect appears to be dose related. The US FDA has recently issued a warning regarding fractures and the impaired magnesium absorption associated with the use of PPI. Thrombocytopenia, iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, rhabdomyolysis and acute interstitial nephritis have also been reported with the use of PPIs. There is mounting evidence that PPIs are associated with serious adverse effects. Practitioners should be vigilant and counsel patients accordingly.

Hypersensitivity reactions to proton pump inhibitors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are one of most frequently prescribed drugs in the world. The purpose of this review is to describe the hypersensitivity reactions to PPI.

RECENT FINDINGS

Hypersensitivity reactions to PPI vary from mild symptoms to life-threatening disorders. Cases of urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, cytopenia, vasculitis, acute allergic interstitial nephritis, occupational contact dermatitis, photoallergic dermatitis, maculopapular eruption, erythroderma, Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, and other autoimmune reactions (including cutaneous lupus erythematosus) have been described.

SUMMARY

A high level of clinical suspicion is critical in the diagnosis of PPI-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Physicians should be aware of the possible hypersensitivity reactions due to PPI and routine/empirical prescription for PPI should only be used when clinically indicated.