If you were recently diagnosed with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) — also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura — you may be wondering how it could affect your prognosis (outlook).

The good news is that most people with chronic ITP respond well to treatment and have a life expectancy similar to that of people without ITP. However, certain factors, such as the cause of your ITP and the treatments you receive, can affect your outlook. Newer treatments have also expanded the options to help increase platelet counts and reduce the risk of bleeding.

In this article, we’ll explain what chronic ITP is, how it may affect life expectancy, and how other conditions and diseases that occur alongside chronic ITP may influence your outlook.

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Life Expectancy and Chronic ITP

Life expectancy is an estimate of how long people with a certain condition are expected to live. For people with ITP, life expectancy can vary.

ITP is classified into three phases based on how long it lasts:

• Newly diagnosed ITP — Lasts for the first three months after diagnosis (previously called acute ITP). Some people recover without treatment.
• Persistent ITP — Lasts from three to 12 months after diagnosis.
• Chronic ITP — Lasts longer than 12 months.

Both children and adults can develop chronic ITP. Children under 10 are more likely than older children to go into remission (when symptoms resolve). Although serious bleeding is uncommon in children, it’s the main cause of severe complications and can affect their outlook.

Many adults live for years or even decades with chronic ITP. Studies show that most people with mild and moderate ITP have a life expectancy similar to that of the general population (those without ITP or other health conditions).

However, some studies have found that, on average, people with ITP have a somewhat shorter life expectancy. This difference may be related to complications such as hemorrhaging (severe blood loss), heart disease, and blood cancer.

People with refractory ITP — meaning their condition doesn’t respond well to standard treatments — have a higher risk of serious complications and death. This increased risk is due to infections, severe bleeding, and other complications linked to hard-to-treat ITP.

Primary vs. Secondary ITP

The cause of your ITP can also affect your prognosis. The types are:

• Primary ITP — Has no identifiable underlying cause
• Secondary ITP — Develops because of another condition or trigger, such as certain medications, infections, autoimmune diseases, or some blood cancers

One study from Denmark of 1,762 people with chronic ITP found that median survival was 5.1 years shorter for people with primary ITP than for the general population. For people with secondary ITP, median survival was 11.1 years shorter.

Common Comorbidities of Chronic ITP

For most people with chronic ITP, serious health problems are more likely to result from complications or other medical conditions than from ITP itself.

A comorbidity is a condition that occurs alongside another condition. For example, if you have both diabetes and chronic ITP, diabetes is considered a comorbidity.

One study from Denmark found that people with ITP had a higher risk of dying than the general population from:

• Infections
• Blood cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma
• Hemorrhages (severe bleeding)
• Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease

Working with your doctor to manage chronic ITP and any other health conditions can help lower your risk of complications and support your overall health.

Steps To Manage the Risks of Chronic ITP

Chronic ITP is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management. Work closely with your doctor or hematologist to monitor your symptoms and change your treatment plan as needed.

Be sure to go to your regular medical appointments and have blood tests as recommended. These tests help your healthcare provider know whether your current treatment is working or needs to be adjusted. Take your medications exactly as prescribed, and follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you notice any new or worsening symptoms, such as unusual bruising or bleeding, contact your doctor as soon as possible, especially if you’ve had your spleen removed and recently been sick.

Without a spleen, your body has to work harder to fight infections, which can become serious. Ask your doctor which vaccines are recommended to help protect you from infection.

Chronic ITP increases your risk of bleeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen can interfere with platelet functions, making it harder for your blood to clot.

These medications are also found in some combination cold medicines, cough syrups, and other OTC medications, so read drug labels carefully before taking a new medication.

Depending on your platelet count and bleeding risk, your doctor may also recommend avoiding contact sports or other activities with a high risk of injury, especially head injuries. These recommendations should be based on your individual situation.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myITPteam, people share their experiences with immune thrombocytopenia, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have more questions about how chronic ITP affects life expectancy? Let others know in the comments below.