Introduction:

thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disease characterized by non-immune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and thrombotic microangiopathy. This study describes the clinical, laboratory and treatment characteristics of a series of patients with TTP, comparing them according to the presence or absence of associated illnesses.

Materials and methods:

a descriptive observational study of patients diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura at a reference center in Medellín, Colombia, evaluated between 2012 and 2021.

Results:

a total of 19 patients were collected, with 80% female predominance; the most frequent clinical manifestations were neurological symptoms (73.6%), kidney problems (68.4%), gastrointestinal problems (52.6%) and fever (47.3%). It was associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 47.6% and was idiopathic in 31.5%. The mean hemoglobin was 7.7 gr/dL +/- 1.7, the median platelet count was 12 x 109 /L (8-29), and the mean lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was 1,509 IU/L +/- 862. Altogether, 94.7% were classified as high probability according to the PLASMIC score, ADAMTS13 was measured in 42% and all received plasma exchange therapy. Clinical response was achieved in 78.9%, with refractoriness in 31.5% and 26.3% mortality; the comparison between idiopathic vs. non-idiopathic TTP showed lower kidney involvement (p=0.04) and higher LDH (p=0.02).

Conclusion:

the clinical presentation of TTP is notable for the predominance of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, marked elevation of lactate dehydrogenase and kidney injury, especially in the idiopathic type. We emphasize the need to measure ADAMTS13 activity in all patients prior to beginning plasma exchange or even in the first two sessions and look for SLE-like autoimmune disease. The higher mortality and refractoriness compared with other series presents the potential for improvement in timely diagnosis and availability of all the treatment schemes. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2023.2760

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