BACKGROUND

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is characterized by extravasation of blood into the subcutaneous tissue, mucous membranes or skin; it generates bleeding manifestations as ecchymotic lesions, petechiae of sudden onset, epistaxis, bleeding from the gums, and serious complications such as intracranial hemorrhage. This condition is due to a platelet destruction mediated by antibodies directed against the surface of the platelets. The objective is to present the clinical characteristics of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a third level medical facility in Puebla, México.

METHODS

A descriptive study, which included 200 patients from the Hematology Service, was carried out. All patients included had the diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. We studied their clinical manifestations, type of diagnosis, as well as medical and/or surgical treatment. The statiscal analysis was made using descriptive measures.

RESULTS

The entire sample (200 patients) had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura as a diagnosis established, 57 % had ecchymoses, 42 % petechiae, 23 % bleeding from the gums, 31.5 % epistaxis, 6.5 % abnormal uterine bleeding, 11 % malaise, 7.0 % hemorrhage, 0.5 % pruritus, 0.5 % seizures, 8 % two or more signs and symptoms and 73 % was asymptomatic when the diagnosis was established.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura are varied, a large percentage of patients can be processed unnoticed. The results described were similar to those reported in the literature.