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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this work were to study serum prolactin (PRL) levels in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and to investigate its possible correlation with disease activity and manifestations. Background ITP is a disorder characterized by immune-mediated accelerated platelet destruction and suppressed platelet production. Hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) has been described in many autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients and methods The study was carried out on 40 cases of primary ITP patients (group I) and 50 healthy controls (group II). PRL was measured directly in the serum samples by VIDAS PRL kits using the ELFA technique for all patients and controls. Results Moderate HPRL (serum PRL 30-200 ng/ml) was present in eight (20%) of primary ITP patients, but was not present in any of the 50 controls. Among 22 patients with platelet count below 30 000/μl, eight (36.4%) patients had HPRL and 14 (63.6%) patients had normal PRL levels. HPRL was associated with lower platelet counts. Conclusion This study shows that HPRL is present in 20% of patients with primary ITP. Also, patients with HPRL have a lower platelet count than patients with normal PRL levels.

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