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  • Title: Occurrence of thrombocytopenia in psychiatric patients taking valproate.
    Author: Trannel TJ, Ahmed I, Goebert D.
    Journal: Am J Psychiatry; 2001 Jan; 158(1):128-30. PubMed ID: 11136646.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Few studies, with conflicting results, have examined the occurrence of thrombocytopenia with valproate administration. This study assessed whether the platelet-lowering effects of valproate are increased among elderly psychiatric patients. METHOD: The charts of 39 psychiatric inpatients taking valproate were reviewed. Information on hematologic function and on doses and serum levels of valproate at sequential intervals over a 12-month period was abstracted. Data for subjects age <60 years (nonelderly subjects) and those age >/=60 years (elderly subjects) were compared. RESULTS: More than half (53.8%) of the elderly patients but only 13.0% of the nonelderly patients had at least one episode of thrombocytopenia. This difference corresponded to a significantly greater lowering of platelet counts among elderly patients than among nonelderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of thrombocytopenia in our study suggests the need for routine monitoring of platelet counts among patients taking valproate, particularly among elderly patients.
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