Despite being considered as a disease is rare, recent advances in treatments of the PTI remarkably improve the quality of life of patients.

-la PTI is a rare disease that is characterized by low levels of platelets in the blood and an increased risk of bleeding

– when a doctor says with the patient and their family the options to treat or not to treat the PTI, the quality of life of the patient must be an important aspect to take into account

Barcelona, March 2012.- persons suffering from the disease known as primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), low levels of platelets and have increased risk of bleeding. The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of these patients are particularly complex as the presentation, characteristics and clinical course of the disease is highly variable, directly affecting the quality of life of patients. There is no definitive clinical or characteristic test for its diagnosis, which remains of exclusion, i.e. that it forces to rule out that the patient will present other diseases that complete with figures of low platelets.

In order to update developments in the treatment of chronic ITP (one that persists over 12 months), and exchange views on new treatments, come together in Barcelona a group of Hematologists of Catalonia with clinical experience in handling the meeting update in the treatment of chronic ITP: evidence and experience ”, which is held on the eve of the day of rare diseases, thanks to the collaboration of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

According to the DRA. Blanca Sánchez González, Coordinator of the meeting and the service of Hematology clinic of the Hospital del Mar, of Barcelona, the PTI is an acquired autoimmune disease in which there is an accelerated destruction and inadequate production of platelets mediated by autoantibodies ”. That is why their treatment is based on trying to maintain a sufficient and stable number of platelets that reduces the risk of bleeding with the least number of side effects of the medications used.

Treatment must be individualized depending on the characteristics of the patient. When a doctor says with the patient and their family the options to treat or not to treat the PTI, the quality of life of the patient must be an important aspect to take into account. The perception of the ‘ quality of life ’ varies widely from a few patients to others. Since the importance you attach to be able to carry out a sporting activity or to travel to less active interests, these preferences play a significant role in therapeutic decisions of the patient and the doctor ”, adds this expert.

So far, most commonly used in this disease drugs are steroids and immunoglobulins, which unfortunately have side effects inherent in its continued use (diabetes, cataracts, hypertension or osteoporosis are clear examples of side effects which can suffer long term a patient with chronic ITP in treatment corticoideo that clearly limit the daily activity) ”She explains.

On the other hand, depending on the evolution of the disease, they can use immunosuppressive drugs or perform surgery for removal of the spleen (Splenectomy).

Important advances for patients with chronic primary PTI

Despite being a rare disease, recently, two new drugs for this disease have been approved.

For the DRA. Sanchez, through the introduction in the therapeutic management of chronic ITP of new drugs (called the trombopoyetina receptor agonists), the quality of life of patients with chronic ITP is improving. On the one hand, these drugs are effective (70-80% of responses) and, on the other hand, the safety profile is favorable ”.

According to summarizes the DRA. Sánchez until the introduction of these new drugs, the quality of life of patients with chronic ITP saw diminished mainly due to side effects of the medications used. Patients claim that these new treatments clearly improve their quality of life ”.

With regard to the prevalence of this disease is estimated to be in United States the annual incidence of ITP in adults between 5.8 and 6.6 / 100,000 and United Kingdom of 1.6/100,000. Also, noted that its incidence is increasing in recent years.