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Serum thrombopoietin levels in relation to disease status in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Author(s) -
KappersKlunne M. C.,
De Haan M.,
Struijk P. C.,
Van Vliet H. H. D. M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.03184.x
Subject(s) - thrombopoietin , thrombocytopenic purpura , medicine , platelet , immune system , gastroenterology , endocrinology , immunology , biology , genetics , stem cell , haematopoiesis
Pre‐ and post‐treatment serum thrombopoietin (TPO) concentration was measured in 35 patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Mean post‐treatment levels were significantly lower ( P = 0·02) than pretreatment and not different for treatment modality. No significant correlation between pre‐ or post‐treatment TPO and platelet counts was demonstrable (R = −0·325, P = 0·056 and R = −0·227, P = 0·190 respectively). In patients with very low platelet counts ( 20 × 10 9 /l), pretreatment serum TPO was significantly higher than in patients with higher counts ( P = 0·033). The logarithm of the platelet turnover rate, measured in 15 patients, correlated with pretreatment TPO levels (R = 0·64). These findings suggest a contributory role for TPO in the mechanism of ITP.