High incidence of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in Jahra Region of Kuwait

Abstract EN

Objective : To study the incidence of ITP in adults in Jahra region.

Design : A retrospective study of all thrombocytopenic patients admitted to adult medical wards of Al Jahra hospital was performed during two years, (2003-2004 inclusive).

Setting : Adult medical wards of Al Jahra hospital, Kuwait.

Result : Out of the total 81 patients with thrombocytopenia, 34 cases (41.2 %) were found to be due to ITP.

Jahra hospital is the only referral hospital in Jahra region, catering to a population of 280,000 which makes the incidence of 60 per million populations per year.

Thirty ITP patients had first line medical treatment, 3 required splenectomy and one responded to second line treatment of Azathioprine.

Conclusion : Incidence of ITP varies significantly in different parts of the world.

The incidence in Kuwait is higher than that seen in other parts of the world.