Absolute lymphocyte count and risk of short-term infection in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

Ming Hung Hu, Yuan Bin Yu, Yu Chung Huang, Jyh Pyng Gau, Liang Tsai Hsiao, Jin Hwang Liu, Ming Huang Chen, Tzeon Jye Chiou, Po Min Chen, Cheng Hwai Tzeng, Chun Yu Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may be at increased risk of infection because of the steroids and other immunosuppressive agents used in its treatment. This study aimed to identify events that are associated with infection within 6 months of diagnosis and the impact that infection has on survival. We retrospectively evaluated 239 patients (107 men, 132 women; median age 61 years) diagnosed between January 1997 and August 2011. Every patient received steroid treatment according to the platelet count and the extent of bleeding. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with the development of infection within 6 months of ITP being diagnosed. Sixty-two patients (25.9 %) developed an infection within 6 months of diagnosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that a lower absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at diagnosis (<1×109/l) was an independent risk factor for infection (P=0.039; 95 % confidence interval, 1.033-3.599; odds ratio, 1.928). The time to infection event is significant shorter in those of low ALC, compared with those of higher ALC (P=0.032). Furthermore, the 1-year mortality rate after ITP diagnosis was significantly higher in those patients who developed an infection (P=0.001). ITP patients with a low absolute lymphocyte count at diagnosis have an increased risk of infection, and those who develop infections have lower 1-year survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1023-1029
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Hematology
Volume93
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC)
  • Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  • Infection
  • Lymphopenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Absolute lymphocyte count and risk of short-term infection in patients with immune thrombocytopenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this