Rajib Paul, Sumayya Mushtaq, Aparna Yerramilli, Sri Lakshmi, Rithvik Ryaka, Pradeep Kumar, Swetha Priya7
BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet value less than 150 × 103 per μL or 50% decrease from the baseline. It can be idiopathic, immune mediated and drug induced, or disease induced. The aim and objective of the present study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and causes of thrombocytopenia, severity based on disease specific conditions and to study the management of thrombocytopenia in adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a prospective observational study undertaken at a tertiary care hospital. A structured pro forma was prepared and data was collected from patients of either gender ≥18 years with platelet count less than 150 × 103 per μL during their hospital stay. Details regarding platelet levels, demographics, and laboratory parameters, prescribed and discharged medications were collected. Aetiology was categorised as either drug induced, disease induced or immune mediated. RESULTS Data from 200 inpatients with thrombocytopenia was collected during the study period among which 66 % were males. Mild thrombocytopenia was found in 40.5% cases followed by moderate 26% and severe 33.5%. Out of the established cases, co-morbidities like cancer, dengue, malaria and few undetermined co-morbidities were seen in 28%, 6%, 5% and 5.5% patients respectively. Patients were treated with either a steroid or a platelet transfusion or with combination of drugs and platelet transfusion. CONCLUSION In the present study, mild thrombocytopenia was most prevalent followed by severe and moderate. Cancer was a major co-morbid condition. Steroids were the first line treatment followed by platelet transfusions.
