From the Research
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) predominantly affects adults between 20-50 years of age, with a median age of onset around 40 years, and is approximately 2-fold more frequent in women, as noted in a study published in the journal Blood 1.
Demographics of TTP
The demographic characteristics of TTP are crucial for clinicians to recognize and diagnose this rare but life-threatening condition promptly.
- TTP shows no strong racial predilection, though some studies suggest a slightly higher incidence in African Americans compared to other racial groups.
- The annual incidence of TTP is estimated at 3-10 cases per million population, making it a rare disorder.
- Acquired TTP (immune-mediated) accounts for about 95% of cases, while congenital TTP (Upshaw-Schulman syndrome) represents only about 5% of cases, as discussed in a study published in the journal Hematology 2.
Risk Factors
Certain populations face increased risk, including:
- Those with HIV infection
- Pregnancy/postpartum status
- Patients using specific medications like quinine, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and certain chemotherapeutic agents, as mentioned in a study published in the journal Expert review of hematology 3.
Clinical Implications
Understanding these demographic patterns helps clinicians maintain appropriate clinical suspicion for this rare but life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, as highlighted in a study published in the journal The American journal of medicine 4. The demographic pattern reflects the autoimmune nature of acquired TTP, which follows similar gender and age distributions seen in other autoimmune conditions, and is supported by recent studies, including one published in BMJ case reports 5.