Epidemiology and Management of Immune Thrombocytopenia in Adult Patients in Algeria: A Non-interventional, Longitudinal, Nationwide Estimation Study

Authors

  • Mohamed Amine Bekadja Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Therapy, Ahmed Benbella 1 University, Oran, Algeria.
  • Mohamed Bradai Hematology Department, Anti-Cancer Unit, CAC of Blida, Algeria.
  • Selma Hamdi Hematology Department, University Hospital, CHU of Sétif, Algeria.
  • Nadia Boudjerra Hematology Department, University Hospital, CHU of Beni Messous, Algiers, Algeria.
  • Mahdia Saidi Hematology Department, Anti-Cancer Unit, CAC of Batna, Algeria.
  • Fatiha Grifi Hematology Department, University Hospital, CHU of Annaba, Algeria.
  • Djamel Saidi Department of Hematology, University Hospital, CHU of Oran, Algeria.
  • Naima Mesli Department of Hematology, University Hospital, CHU of Tlemcen, Algeria.
  • Zahia Zouaoui Clinic of Hematology, University Hospital, CHU of Sidi Bel Abbés, Algeria.
  • Nourredine Lakhdari Department of Hematology, University Hospital, CHU of Béjaia, Algeria.
  • Nemra Mehalhal Department of Hematology, University Hospital, CHU of Mascara, Algeria.
  • Noureddine Sidi Mansourl Hematology Department, University Hospital, CHU of Constantine, Algeria.
  • Ryma Khetib Tiaïba Amgen (Middle East) FZ LLC, Algeria.
  • Sarah Lakehal Hematology Department, Public Hospital, EPH Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria.
  • Hossam Saad Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.

Keywords:

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia;, Epidemiology;, Immune thrombocytopenia;, Platelet count;, Romiplostim;, Thrombopoietin receptor agonists

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) affects more women than men with a higher incidence in older patients. However, data on the epidemiology and treatment regimen for ITP is limited and varies across different countries. In this non-interventional, longitudinal, nationwide estimation study, we present incidence (by age, sex, and diagnosis stage), prevalence, characteristics, and treatment regimens of ITP in Algeria.

Methods: Patients ≥16 years of age with prevalent (diagnosed before September 3, 2017) or incident (diagnosed between September 3, 2017–August 30, 2018) ITP were involved in this study. Patient data were collected from public hospitals and the incidence and prevalence estimates were made using Poisson distributions (95% confidence interval [CI]).

Results: Of 1,746 patients from 16 hematology departments, 1,159 were included in the study; 173 (14.9%) were incident and 986 (85.1%) were prevalent patients with ITP. The median (quartiles) age of patients at diagnosis was 36 (25, 50) years; 895 (77.2%) were women. At inclusion, 88.2% of patients were asymptomatic and 3.8% had severe bleeding. The national incidence was 0.85 (0.75–0.96) and prevalence was 5.65 (5.39–5.93) per 100,000 population. The incidence of ITP in women (1.18 [1.02–1.37]/100,000 population) was higher versus men (0.54 [0.43–0.67]/ 100,000 population). The incidence of ITP was four times higher in the ≥75 years cohort (2.37 [1.60–3.51]/100,000 population) versus that observed in the 15–35-years age cohort (0.54 [0.43–0.68]/100,000 population). First-line treatments included corticosteroids (80.8%), intravenous immunoglobulin (3.4%), and rituximab (1.3%); 17.4% of patients underwent splenectomy as a third-line procedure.

Conclusion: The overall incidence rate of ITP in Algeria was low. However, the incidence trends are similar to those reported globally, with high incidence reported in women and older patients. Corticosteroids were the most prescribed therapy, and few patients were prescribed thrombopoietin receptor agonists before opting for splenectomy.

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Published

2024-02-10

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research Articles/ Original Work

License

 West Asia Organization for Cabcer Prevention retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4 (This permits anyone to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt the published work, provided the original work and source are appropriately cited).