Please clarify the currently preferred nomenclature of ITP. Is “idiopathic” TP autoimmune in nature and is this considered an underlying cause?
The “I” in ITP has been variably referred to as “idiopathic” or “immune”. A recent international working group of ITP experts has decided to abandon the term “idiopathic” preferring “immune” in order to emphasize the immune nature of primary ITP. As purpura is often absent from the acronym ITP, which was preserved due to its historical use, is now proposed to stand for immune thrombocytopenia. A platelet cut off 9/L was used as the threshold for diagnosis. “Primary ITP” indicates cases without any obvious initiating events or underlying cause. “Secondary ITP” has been proposed to encompass all other forms of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. References: Rodeghiero F, Stasi R, Gernsheimer T, et al. Standardization of terminology, definitions and outcome criteria in immune thrombocytopenic purpura of adults and children: report from an international working group. Blood. 2009;113(11):2386-2393.
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