The prevalence, etiology and patterns of thrombocytopenia among geriatric age group

Abstract

The etiology of thrombocytopenia varies in different populations depending on the age groups, nutritional status, climate and the prevalence of infections. The causes also ranges from transient marrow viral suppression to marrow infiltration by life threatening malignancies. According to etiology, degree and duration of the impairment, clinically thrombocytopenia can lead to petechiea, ecchymosis, epistaxis, menorrhagia, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding or intracranial bleeding leading to serious illness and sometimes death. Multiple causes of thrombocytopenia may coexist in a geriatric patient. Thrombocytopenia in geriatrics can co-exist with anemia giving a peripheral picture of bicytopenia. Data for analysis was obtained from patient medical files, in addition to detailed information gathered from patient. Details of history for each case will comprise of age, gender, clinical findings, medical history, and history of medications, general physical examination and laboratory investigation. The most common etiology in our study was Dengue (38%) followed by Malaria (20%), viral fever (15%), Leukaemia (12%), Chemotherapy induced (7%), Drug induced (6%) and ITP (2%).