About ITP

ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is classified as an autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease the body mounts an attack toward one or more otherwise normal organ systems. In ITP, platelets are the target. They are marked as foreign by the immune system and eliminated in the spleen, or sometimes the liver.

Researchers have identified more than eighty autoimmune diseases. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that 5% to 8% of the United States population, between 14 and 24 million people, suffer with autoimmune disease.

The number of individuals in the United States with ITP has been estimated to be approximately 200,000. In adults, about three times more women have the disease than men. In children, the ratio is about even. It affects all age and ethnic groups. There are about 100 new cases of ITP per million people per year. Approximately half of the new cases are in children.

No large sample study supports an estimate of the incidence of ITP, rate of new cases per year, or the prevalence of ITP, total number of people with a disease. There is anecdotal evidence that the percentage rate of ITP cases is increasing in the United States. However, no carefully documented studies exist.

For much more information see our booklets in the publications section.

IMPORTANT!

The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. Consult a health care provider concerning your particular condition.