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Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease with a mild to severe risk of bleeding complications. First line treatment includes corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, or other. In this large cohort study, first-line strategies for treatment-naive adult primary ITP was studied in a real-world setting. Records from all adult ITP patients who received first-line treatment between January 2010 and December 2017 at Qilu Hospital were reviewed retrospectively (n = 699). During the study period, 271 patients were treated with high-dose dexamethasone (HDD) and 289 patients were treated with conventional prednisone (alone or in combination with other drugs). Initial responses were similar for the two groups (88.56% vs. 86.51%, P = 0.462), but patients in the HDD group responded earlier than the prednisone group (3 days vs. 5 days, P 0.05). Adverse events were more frequent and long-lasting in the prednisone group. Our study showed that HDD provided an effective and more rapid response as initial treatment of ITP, with comparable long-term prognosis and better tolerance when compared with conventional PDN (less than 3 months) in the real-world setting.

Objectives Lupus anticoagulans (LACs) and aPLs, both further summarized as aPL, are frequently assessed in routine daily clinical practice in diagnostic workups for suspected autoimmune diseases or to test for underlying risk factors in patients with thrombosis or obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of aPL positivity in patients with an indication for aPL testing in routine clinical practice. Methods In this retrospective single-centre study, indication for aPL testing, aPL test results and clinical data were collected for patients tested between June 2015 and April 2018. Results During the study period, 16 847 single aPL tests were performed in 2139 patients. In 212 patients one or more positive aPL test was found, confirmed in 43.9% with a second positive test. Indications for aPL testing were diagnostic workup/follow-up of autoimmune diseases (33.6%), thrombosis (21.4%) and obstetric complications (28%). Seventy-four patients (3.5% of all patients) fulfilled the criteria of APS, of whom 51% were newly diagnosed. Second positive aPL titres and titres of APS patients were significantly higher compared with positive aPL titres at the first measurement (P < 0.05). Patients with indications of arterial thrombosis and diagnostic workup/follow-up of autoimmune diseases had significantly higher levels of aCL IgG and anti-β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) IgG compared with patients with other indications. Conclusion The prevalence of one or more positive aPL test was 9.9% and APS was diagnosed in 3.5% of the patients. Patients with arterial thrombosis had significantly higher anti-β2GPI IgG and aCL IgG, which should be confirmed in future studies.

Thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in patients with the new severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (COVID‐19 infection).1 Thrombocytopenia in COVID‐19 patients may be caused by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), sepsis or drug‐induced. Recently a single case report suggested immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may be associated with COVID‐19 infection.2 ITP is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by a platelet count < 100x109/L, leading to an increased bleeding risk.3 Several risk factors have been described for ITP including environmental (e.g. infection, malignancy and drugs) and genetic predisposition.4 We report here the first case series of three patients with ITP associated with COVID‐19 infection.

Infectious complications are common and sometimes life threatening in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), mainly due to the immune-suppressive therapy. Recent evidence suggests a potential role of platelets in the inflammation process. In this clinical study, we further investigated the role of thrombocytopenia on infections in patients with primary ITP. We retrospectively evaluated data from the recently published large randomized clinical trial of a cohort of 195 patients with primary ITP, who were randomized for prednisone or high-dose dexamethasone. From 158 patients (81%), data on platelet count and infections within the first month of treatment were collected. In this period, 24% of the ITP patients had an infection. Patients with infection had significant lower platelet counts during the first month of treatment leading to a significant lower therapy response at 1 month and a significant longer hospital stay (14.0 versus 9.8 days). Additionally, Cox regression analysis showed that an increase in platelet count of 20 × 109/L led to a reduction of 52% in infections in the next week, showing low platelet count is a significant risk factor for infection. Platelet transfusion led to an increase in platelet count in ITP patients without infection, but not in patients with infection. In conclusion, infections are common in patients with primary ITP leading to significant worse response rates and a longer hospital stay. Interestingly, low platelet count was independently correlated with an increased risk of infection.

Introduction: Key characteristics of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) include immune-mediated platelet destruction/impaired production, with resultant thrombocytopenia and increased bleeding risk. Durable response to current therapies remains an unmet need, particularly in the relapsed/refractory setting. Rilzabrutinib is the first oral, reversible, covalent inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase designed to target immune-mediated pathways in ITP without inhibiting normal platelet aggregation. Initial phase I/II results in ITP demonstrated rapid and durable efficacy with rilzabrutinib that was well-tolerated at all dose levels, including the optimal 400 mg bid dose. Interim results on rilzabrutinib effects in patients with relapsed/refractory ITP were previously reported. Here we present long-term data from a larger group of patients who initiated rilzabrutinib at 400 mg bid and are continuing in the long-term extension (LTE) period. Methods: This ongoing, global phase I/II study (NCT03395210) enrolled adult patients from 8 countries with relapsed or refractory ITP who previously responded to ≥1 prior ITP therapy. Eligible patients with 2 baseline platelet counts of Results: As of June 1, 2021 in 60 patients, 45 patients initiated rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid and to date, 16 patients with durable, stable response proceeded to LTE at 400 mg bid. At enrollment for patients initiating rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid, median age was 49 y (range, 19-74), median duration of ITP was 6.1 y (range, 0.4-52.5), and median platelet count was 15×10 9/L (range, 2-33×10 9/L). Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 6 prior treatment events (range, 1-53), including 24% with prior splenectomy. Overall, 18/45 patients (40%) achieved the primary endpoint. In primary responders, platelet counts of ≥30×10 9/L, ≥30×10 9/L with ≥20×10 9/L above baseline, and ≥50×10 9/L were maintained for a median of 95%, 86%, and 72% of weeks, respectively. Median time to first platelet counts of ≥30×10 9/L, ≥30×10 9/L with ≥20×10 9/L above baseline, and ≥50×10 9/L were 8.5 (7-134), 11.5 (7-134), and 12.5 (8-142) days, respectively. According to subgroup analyses, primary platelet responses were consistently >30% irrespective of baseline platelet counts, the use of concomitant therapy, duration of ITP, or number of prior therapies (Table). LTE patients received rilzabrutinib for an overall median duration of 462 days (range, 303-764). At LTE entry, patients had a median platelet count of 87×10 9/L (range, 16-321×10 9/L). In addition to all LTE patients achieving the primary endpoint during the main treatment period, these patients maintained platelet counts of ≥30×10 9/L, ≥30×10 9/L with ≥20×10 9/L above baseline, and ≥50×10 9/L, for a median of 100%, 96%, and 90%, of weeks, respectively, during the LTE period (Figure). Treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; all grade 1/2) were reported in 27/45 patients (60%); the most common were 36% diarrhea and 31% nausea, and all others were Conclusion: Oral rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid was well-tolerated and had durable, clinically significant platelet responses across subgroups and with extended treatment in patients with heavily pretreated ITP. Continued study in the ongoing, randomized phase III LUNA3 trial (NCT04562766) will further assess the magnitude and durability of rilzabrutinib's clinical benefit in ITP. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Kuter: Actelion (Syntimmune), Agios, Alnylam, Amgen, Argenx, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Immunovant, Kezar, Principia, Protalex, Rigel, Takeda (Bioverativ), UCB: Research Funding; Up-to-Date: Patents & Royalties: Up-To-Date; Rubius: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Actelion (Syntimmune), Agios, Alnylam, Amgen, Argenx, BioCryst, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Caremark, CRICO, Daiichi Sankyo, Dova, Genzyme, Immunovant, Incyte, Kyowa-Kirin, Merck Sharp Dohme, Momenta, Novartis, Pfizer, Principia, Protalex, Protalix, Rigel: Consultancy, Other: grant support and consulting fees; Platelet Disorder Support Association: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mayer: Principia: Research Funding. Jansen: 3SBIO, Novartis: Other: Travel, accomodations, expenses; Advisory Board Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses. McDonald: Bayer, Sobi, Novartis, Amgen, argenx: Honoraria; Grifols: Research Funding. Baker: Roche, Janssen-Celeg: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer, Takeda, Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, CSL Behring, Roche, Amgen, Celgene, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Abbvie, Sanofi, MorphoSys AG, Acerta Pharma, Jansen-Cileg, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Portola, Technoclone, Alexion: Research Funding. Bird: Novartis, Amgen: Speakers Bureau. Garg: Amgen Janssen Novartis Sanofi Takeda: Honoraria; Takeda Janssen Novartis Sanofi: Other: Travel Accommodations, Expenses; University Hospital Leicester: Current Employment. Gernsheimer: Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: personal fees ; Amgen: Honoraria; Cellphire: Consultancy; Dova: Consultancy, Honoraria; Principia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Rigel: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; NHLBI: Research Funding. Ghanima: Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Principia Biopharma Inc- a Sanofi Company, Sanofi, SOBI, Griffols, UCB, Argenx: Consultancy; Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, SOBI, Griffols, Sanofi: Honoraria; Bayer, BMS/Pfizer: Research Funding. Bandman: Sanofi: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Arora: Principia Biopharma Inc, a Sanofi Company: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Burns: Sanofi: Ended employment in the past 24 months. Yao: Sanofi: Current Employment. Daak: Sanofi: Current Employment. Sourdille: Sanofi: Current Employment. Thomas: Chinook and Equillium Biopharma: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Chinook: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Equillium Biopharma: Current Employment; Principia, a Sanofi Company: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Equillium Biopharma: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Neale: Principia Biopharma/Sanofi: Ended employment in the past 24 months; Principia Biopharma: Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Cooper: Sanofi and Principia: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel, accommodations expenses; Principia and Sanofi: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: Rilzabrutinib is an investigational therapy being evaluated in a clinical study for the treatment of patients with immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder against platelets characterized by a low platelet count and increased bleeding risk. ITP is likely to rise from defective immune tolerance in addition to a triggering event, such as vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a small increased risk of development of de novo ITP. In patients historically diagnosed with ITP, relapse of thrombocytopenia after COVID-19 vaccination has been described. However, the precise platelet dynamics in previously diagnosed ITP patients after COVID-19 vaccination is unknown Aims: To investigate the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on platelet count, the occurrence of severe bleeding complications and necessity of rescue medication in patients historically diagnosed with ITP. Methods: Platelet counts of ITP patients and healthy controls were collected immediately before, 1 and 4 weeks after the first and second vaccination. Linear mixed effects modelling was applied to analyse platelet count dynamics over time. Results: We included 218 ITP patients (50.9% women) with a mean (SD) age of 58 (17) years and 200 healthy controls (60.0% women) with a mean (SD) age of 58 (13) years. Healthy controls and ITP patients had similar baseline characteristics (Table 1). 201/218 (92.2%)ITP patients received the mRNA-1273 vaccine, 16/218 (7.3%) the BNT162b vaccine and 1/218 (0.46%) the Vaxzevria vaccine. All healthy controls received the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Fifteen (6.8%) patients needed rescue medication (Table 1). Significantly more ITP patients who needed rescue medication were on ITP treatment prior COVID-19 vaccination compared to patients without exacerbation (56.2% (7/16) vs 27.4% (55/202), p=0.016). We found a significant effect of vaccination on platelet count over time in both ITP patients and healthy controls (Figure 1A). Platelet counts of ITP patients decreased 7.9% between baseline and 4 weeks after second vaccination (p=0.045). Rescue medication and prior treatment significantly increased platelet count over time (p=0.042 and p=0.044). Healthy controls decreased 4.5% in platelet count (p IPT patients with a baseline platelet count of >150x10 9/L had a significant decrease of platelet count 4 weeks after second vaccination compared to baseline (median platelet count (IQR) 205 (94) vs 203 x10 9/L (109) p=0.001). No significant decrease was seen in ITP patients with a baseline platelet count Median (IQR) platelet counts were similar between patients with and without exacerbation, except for 4 weeks after second vaccination (112 (105) vs 45 x 10 9/L (70), p=0.025) (Figure 1B). No significant effect was observed over time in ITP patients with rescue medication (p=0.478) (Figure 1C). In ITP patients without rescue medication, COVID-19 vaccination had a significant effect over time (p=0.001), especially 1 week after second vaccination (Figure1B). Of the 15 patients who needed rescue medication, 8/15 patients (53.3%) received rescue medication within 4 weeks after first vaccination and 4/15 (26.67%) needed rescue medication after the first as well as after the second vaccination. 3/15 (20.0%) patients needed rescue medication after the second vaccination. In the total ITP population, 5/218 (2.2%) experienced a WHO grade 2-4 bleeding complication and 3/218 (1.4%) needed platelet transfusion. 4/5 (80%) bleedings occurred before the second vaccination. One of these patients had fatal varices bleeding, although platelet count was normal. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination has a significant effect on platelet count in ITP patients and healthy controls. In 6.8% of ITP patients rescue medication was needed and in 2.2% of ITP patients a WHO grade 2-4 bleeding occurred. The majority of rescue medication was given and the majority bleeding complications occurred in the 4 weeks after the first vaccination. Our results demonstrate that close monitoring of platelet count after COVID-19 vaccination is important in patients historically diagnosed with ITP. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Westerweel: Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS / Celgene: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding. Levin: Roche, Janssen, Abbvie: Other: Travel Expenses, Ad-Board. Kruip: Bayer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding. Jansen: Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Advisory Board Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; 3SBIO, Novartis: Other: Travel, accomodations, expenses.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by clinical findings including thrombosis and/or obstetric complication and laboratory findings, e.g. ≥1 positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) (lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin IgG/IgM and/or anti-β2-glycoprotein IgG/IgM). A rare APS clinical entity is severe necrosis which is difficult to treat and often does not respond to anticoagulant therapy. Three consecutive patients with primary or secondary APS who presented with necrotic skin lesions secondary to APS were treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), glucocorticoids and low-molecular-weight heparin. All patients had a rapid-onset, either full or significant recovery of their APS-related necrotic lesions. Upon treatment, one patients showed resolution of lupus anticoagulant. Two patients had a decrease of at least 88 % in aPL titers after the initial treatment, and were kept on TPE maintenance every 5–6 weeks. None of the patients experienced significant side effects of the TPE. This is the first case series showing the clinical benefits of TPE in patients with ischemic and necrotic skin lesions due to severe anticoagulant-refractory vascular APS.

Introduction: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the major cause of maternal death worldwide. Haemostatic abnormalities are independently associated with a signifi‐ cantly increased risk for severe PPH. In this study, the value of haemostatic evalua‐ tion in women with severe PPH was explored. Aim: To investigate the occurrence of previously unknown inherited bleeding disor‐ ders in women with severe PPH. Methods: Women with severe PPH (blood loss of ≥2000 mL) between 2011 and 2017, referred to the haematology outpatient clinic for haemostatic evaluation, were retrospectively included. A bleeding disorder was diagnosed based on (inter)national guidelines, or when having a clear bleeding phenotype, not fulfilling any diagnos‐ tic criteria or laboratory abnormalities, this being classified as Bleeding of Unknown Cause (BUC). Logistic regression was used to model the association between diagno‐ sis and obstetrical causes and risk factors for PPH. Results: In total, 85 women with PPH were included. In 23% (n = 16), a mild bleed‐ ing disorder was diagnosed, including low von Willebrand factor (Low VWF 8/16), platelet function disorders (PFD 5/16), BUC (2/16) and von Willebrand disease type 1 (1/16). No significant associations were found between obstetrical causes or risk factors for PPH and the presence of a bleeding disorder. Conclusion: In 23% of women with severe PPH, a mild bleeding disorder was di‐ agnosed, independent of obstetrical causes or risk factors for PPH. This implies that severe PPH can be the first clinical symptom of an inherited bleeding disor‐ der. Therefore, to optimize clinical management, haemostatic evaluation after severe PPH is recommended.

Objective: To determine the influence of socio-demographic, clinical parameters and obstetric complications on postpartum health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Study design: We used data of three randomized controlled trials to investigate HRQoL determinants in women after an obstetric complication. The DIGITAT and HYPITAT trials compared induction of labor and expectant management in women with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hypertensive disorders. The WOMB trial randomized anemic women after postpartum hemorrhage to red blood cell transfusion or expectant management. The HRQoL-measure Short-Form36 was completed at six weeks postpartum. Multivariable analyses were used to identify which parameters affected the Short-Form36 physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS).Results: HRQoL analyses included 1391 women (60%) of the 2310 trial participants. HYPITAT and DIGITAT participants had significantly lower MCS than WOMB participants. In multivariable analysis, PCS after elective and emergency cesarean section was 5-6 points lower than after vaginal delivery. Gestational hypertension, neonatal admission and delivery in an academic hospital had a small negative effect on PCS. No effect was found for randomization status, maternal age, BMI, country of birth, education, parity, induction of labor, analgesics, birth weight, perineal laceration, delivery of placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, congenital anomaly, urinary tract infection, thromboembolic event or endometritis. MCS was influenced only mildly by these parameters.Conclusions: IUGR and hypertensive disorders lead to lower HRQoL scores postpartum than PPH. In a heterogeneous obstetric population, only mode of delivery by cesarean section has a profound, negative impact, on physical HRQoL (PCS). No profound impacts on MCS were detected. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the psychometric properties of three internationally established measures for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women after vaginal delivery (VD), elective cesarean section (CS), and emergency CS and the relationship of HRQoL scores with blood loss after delivery. METHODS: This is a prospective longitudinal study. One hundred forty-one consecutive patients (71 after VD, 36 after elective CS, and 34 after emergency CS) were enrolled in two university hospitals and one general hospital from June 2003 to March 2004. Women completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and the EQ-5D classification of own health between 12 and 24 h after VD or between 24 and 48 h after CS. Subsequent assessments, additionally including the Short Form 36 (SF-36), were made 1, 3, and 6 weeks after delivery. We analyzed feasibility (response, completion time, reported difficulties, item nonresponse), reliability (Cronbach's alpha), discriminative validity between groups by type of delivery, and responsiveness over time (Wilcoxon's signed rank tests and effect sizes). RESULTS: The MFI, SF-36, and EQ-5D proved to be highly feasible and reliable (alpha>.7 for all scales of MFI and SF-36). The measures were able to discriminate between groups by mode of delivery and to detect moderate recovery in physical and small recovery in mental status over time in the first 6 weeks after delivery. The suboptimal total questionnaire response of 60% after 6 weeks was attributable to low response among women of non-Dutch ethnic origin. The significant correlation between Hb level and mean physical HRQoL scores found at T=0 disappeared 1 week postpartum. CONCLUSION: The combination of MFI, SF-36, and EQ-5D showed good psychometric performance and is a good choice to measure HRQoL after delivery in scientific studies. Development of a shorter set is needed for use in routine clinical practice

Background. A delivery has a major impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the new mother, especially on fatigue. A common complication during delivery that might have a relationship with maternal morbidity is blood loss. The objectives were to investigate fatigue and HRQoL in women after vaginal delivery (VD), elective caesarean section (CS) and emergency CS, and its relationship with postpartum hemoglobin (Hb) levels during the first 6 weeks postpartum. Methods. Some 141 patients (71 after VD, 36 after elective CS and 34 after emergency CS) completed the HRQoL questionnaires MFI and EQ-5D between 12 and 24 h after VD and 24-48 h after CS (t=0). At 1, 3 and 6 weeks postpartum these questionnaires were repeated, together with the SF36. Results. Patients after VD had higher mean physical HRQoL scores than after CS. The average period to reach full physical recovery was 3 weeks after VD, 6 weeks after elective CS, and >6 weeks after emergency CS. Mean mental HRQoL scores of the study groups were similar or even better compared to reference values. The significant correlation between Hb level and mean physical HRQoL scores found at t=0 had disappeared at 1 week postpartum. Conclusions. Results of this study provided insights into the natural course of fatigue and HRQoL postpartum. Important differences in fatigue and HRQoL scores were observed between the 3 modes of delivery. These HRQoL measures can be used in future clinical trials to assess the effects of interventions postpartum.

Background Primary postpartum haemorrhage is an obstetrical emergency often causing acute anaemia that may require immediate red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. This anaemia results in symptoms such as fatigue, which may have major impact on the health-related quality of life. RBC transfusion is generally thought to alleviate these undesirable effects although it may cause transfusion reactions. Moreover, the postpartum haemoglobin level seems to influence fatigue only for a short period of time. At present, there are no strict transfusion criteria for this specific indication, resulting in a wide variation in postpartum policy of RBC transfusion in the Netherlands. Methods/Design The WOMB trial is a multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial. Women with acute anaemia due to postpartum haemorrhage, 12-24 hours after delivery and not initially treated with RBC transfusion, are eligible for randomisation. Patients with severe physical complaints are excluded. Patients are randomised for either RBC transfusion or expectant management. Health related quality of life (HRQoL) will be assessed at inclusion, at three days and one, three and six weeks postpartum with three validated measures (Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory, ShortForm-36, EuroQol-5D). Primary outcome of the study is physical fatigue three days postpartum. Secondary outcome measures are general and mental fatigue scores and generic health related quality of life scores, the number of RBC transfusions, length of hospital stay, complications and health-care costs. The primary analysis will be by intention-to-treat. The various longitudinal scores will be evaluated using Repeated Measurements ANOVA. A costs benefit analysis will also be performed. The power calculation is based on the exclusion of a difference in means of 1.3 points or greater in favour of RBC transfusion arm regarding physical fatigue subscale. With missing data not exceeding 20%, 250 patients per arm have to be randomised (one-sided alpha = 0.025, power = 80%). Discussion This study will provide evidence for a guideline regarding RBC transfusion in the postpartum patient suffering from acute anaemia. Equivalence in fatigue score, remaining HRQoL scores and physical complications between both groups is assumed, in which case an expectant management would be preferred to minimise transfusion reactions and costs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00335023, Nederlands Trial Register NTR335

To the Editor: In response to the review by Imbach and Crowther (Aug. 25 issue)1 of thrombopoietin-receptor agonists for primary immune thrombocytopenia: we would like to draw attention to the fact...