Strategy changes in Chinese hematologists’ diagnosis and treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia across 10 years (2009–2018)

摘要

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a common hemorrhagic disease causing a tremendous burden to the social economy, is characterized by the bleeding of mucosa, skin, brain, and/or other important organs. Serious hemorrhage can even lead to death. Despite its seriousness, the golden criteria for ITP diagnosis and treatment are lacking. Consequently, much hinges upon physician experience as well as the willingness of patients and their families. In fact, standards for diagnosis and treatment of patients with ITP only appeared when the American Society of Hematology published a landmark guideline in 1996. It is important to find out hematologists’ routine strategies for managing ITP and the extent they have complied with or deviated from ITP guidelines. However, such research is few and far between. We published such a study in 2009. After that, the context for China-based hematologists diagnosing and treating ITP has undergone fundamental changes, including the publication of the Chinese Society of Hematology (CSH) guideline in 2011 and its update in 2016.