ITP

Question 1

What is ITP?

Answer 1

Acquired thrombocytopenia due to immune mediated shortened circulating platelet survival (without other disturbances of haemostasis or coagulation)

Question 2

What is the prognosis of ITP?

Answer 2

• 1. Acute (90%): self limiting with resolution under 6m. May have viral precipitant.
• 2. Chronic (10%). Doesn’t remit in 6m.

Question 3

How does ITP usually present?

Answer 3

Bruising and petechiae alone. May have:

• epistaxis
• oral / rectal bleeding
• haematuria

Question 4

What is essential for the clinical diagnosis of ITP?

Answer 4

Manifestations of thrombocytopenia WITHOUT:

• pallor
• lymphadenopathy
• hepatosplenomegaly

Question 5

What are the important Ddx to exclude when diagnosing ITP?

Answer 5

• Acute leukaemia
• Marrow infiltrative conditions
• Aplastic anaemia