These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in systemic lupus erythematosus: disease activity and the use of cytotoxic drugs.
    Author: Vasoo S, Thumboo J, Fong KY.
    Journal: Lupus; 2002; 11(7):443-50. PubMed ID: 12195786.
    Abstract:
    Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare and occasionally fatal haematologic disorder that can coexist with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. We identified all cases of TTP seen in our institution over a 3 year period using a computerized database. We found that SLE activity (measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index) and TTP activity ran a parallel course in three patients with coexistent SLE and TTP. TTP in these three patients, although refractory to plasmapheresis, responded to cytotoxic therapy. These observations further support an autoimmune contribution to the pathogenesis of some cases of TTP. A literature review revealed that mortality in SLE patients with more severe, refractory TTP treated with plasmapheresis and cytotoxics, may not be higher than in patients responding to plasmapheresis alone (who are likely to have milder disease). These data suggest that cytotoxics may have a role in treatment of patients with active SLE and TTP refractory to plasmapheresis.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]