Immune thrombocytopenia: improving quality of life and patient outcomes

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by a reduced platelet count and patients may develop bruising or mucosal bleeding. Since 2003, generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures have been applied and ITP-specific measures developed, alongside trials of novel therapeutic agents. These have identified significant morbidity in patients with ITP, including fatigue, fear of bleeding and a negative impact on role, social and work activities. This review critically evaluates HRQoL data in adults and children with ITP. It also considers the impact of treatment and how patient-reported outcomes might be applied to care to optimize patients’ quality of life.

Keywords:

• immune thrombocytopenia
• quality of life
• fatigue
• eltrombopag
• romiplostim
• bleeding
• SF-36
• KIT
• depression
• ITP-PAQ

Author contributions

Both authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

PT has no competing interests. QAH has received speaker and advisory fees from Novartis and research support from the ITP Support Association. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.