[Low-dose prednisolone therapy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

Abstract

Prednisolone (PSL) is widely used for the treatment of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We compared the effects of a relatively low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day, LD group) of PSL and the conventional dose (1.0 mg/kg/day, CD group) on 59 ITP patients. Twenty-six patients were treated with low-dose PSL, and 23 patients with the conventional dose. No statistically significant difference was observed in the complete remission rates for the LD group (35%) and the CD group (39%). However, the mean duration of hospitalization was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter for LD group patients than for patients in the CD group (20 days versus 50 days, respectively). In conclusion, low-dose PSL may be as effective as the conventional dose and capable of reducing the cost of hospitalization, thus, improving the quality of life for patients with ITP.

• Authors: K Ohmine, T Izumi, K Muroi, R Shimizu, S Imagawa, N Komatsu, R Sasaki, K Hatake, Y Miura, K Ozawa
• Journal: [Rinsho ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology (Rinsho Ketsueki) Vol. 41 Issue 1 Pg. 8-11 (Jan 2000) ISSN: 0485-1439 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 10695392 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Prednisolone
• Azathioprine

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
• Azathioprine (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Length of Stay (economics)
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage)
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (drug therapy)
• Quality of Life
• Splenectomy