Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune blood disorder that causes low blood platelet counts, which increases the risk of bleeding of the mucous membranes and skin (mucocutaneous bleeding).1 ITP is a rare condition that affects approximately 23 out of every 100,000 people in the United States.2 However, ITP does not always cause noticeable symptoms, which impedes formal diagnosis. As a result, the total number of cases may be under-reported.3 Because ITP can significantly affect oral health, dental hygienists should be aware of its etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

A normal platelet count in the human body falls between 150,000 platelets to 400,000 platelets per microliter (mcL) of blood.4-6 Thrombocytopenia occurs when an individual’s platelet count falls below 150,000/mcL.6 Many factors can induce thrombocytopenia including: acute or chro nic alcohol exposure; use of specific medications such as heparin, sulfonamides, quinidine, and aspirin; and chronic liver disease.7 Other conditions such as leukemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and systemic lupus erythematosus can induce secondary forms of ITP.1Immune thrombocytopenic purpura may be acute, chronic, or refractory.8 Acute ITP predominantly occurs in children.8 In the majority of acute cases, ITP occurs after a viral infection or vaccination and usually resolves on its own without treatment within 6 months.1,8

Chronic ITP is most common among adults and affects more women than men, at a ratio of 3:1.9 Chronic ITP is frequently idiopathic.8,10 The incidence of chronic ITP also increases with age and is the most common type experienced by older adults.3,6 Refractory ITP is a form of chronic ITP that does not respond to clinical treatment.8

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ETIOLOGY

Although the complete etiology of ITP is not entirely known, the autoimmune blood disorder is caused by platelet antibodies that cause an increase in platelet destruction and a decrease in platelet production.11 Membrane proteins found on the surface of the platelets are recognized as foreign by the body, which causes the immune system to make autoantibodies and cytotoxic T-cells to fend off the perceived invaders.7 What causes the autoantibodies to form initially is not understood, but environmental and genetic factors may be involved.9,12 The autoantibodies then coat specific glycoproteins that are found on circulating platelets.7 These coated platelets are subsequently removed by the reticuloendothelial system, which includes the spleen and liver.7 Thrombocytopenia results when the coated platelets are removed from the body faster than platelets can be produced.12 While a normal platelet has a lifespan of 7 days, a platelet in an individual with ITP lives less than 2 days.13

Thrombocytopenia is also caused by a decrease in platelet production. Thrombopoietin is a protein made in the liver that circulates through the blood stream to trigger the cells within the bone marrow to make more platelets.14 These platelet-producing cells are called megakaryocytes.14 In ITP, the anti-platelet antibodies and cytotoxic T-cells not only cause the platelets to be rapidly destroyed, but they may also disrupt thrombopoiesis and prevent megakaryocytes from producing enough platelets to replace those lost.12 This decrease in platelet production in combination with the rapid destruction of platelets can cause dangerously low platelet counts.12

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of ITP fall into two categories: dry purpura and wet purpura.15 Purpura is the appearance of purple or reddish-blue spots that occur within the skin or mucosa caused by spontaneous hemorrhages of blood (Figures 1-4).4 The spots are circumferential in shape and range from 0.1 cm to 5.0 cm in diameter.16 Dry purpura occurs on the skin, and appears as bruising and petechiae (small red spots on the skin caused by small hemorrhages).

Wet purpura manifests as bleeding of the mucous membranes, such as the mouth and eyes.15 An individual with ITP may also have spots of petechiae.4 Other symptoms of ITP include nose bleeds, heavy menstrual cycles, bleeding of the oral mucosa, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage.7 People with ITP may also bruise very easily and have blood in their urine.4 The presence and extent of bleeding usually depends on the severity of the thrombocytopenia.11 Individuals who are at greatest risk of serious bleeding have a platelet count less than 10,000/mcL.8 However, there are many people with ITP who do not exhibit noticeable symptoms.3

Symptoms of adrenal crisis.23

Fatigue
Weakness
Headache
Confusion
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Abdominal pain
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Sweating
Dehydration

TREATMENT

The key goal of treating ITP is to help people achieve a safe (not necessarily normal) platelet count in order to prevent bleeding.10 Because there is no cure for chronic ITP, treatment decisions are based on the severity of the disease and patient-related factors.10 When determining treatment and management options, clinicians need to consider the extent and risk of bleeding, complications that can occur with therapy, possible side effects, lifestyle factors, access to care, and patient expectations.17 Multiple treatment options are available that target different aspects of the immune response.12 Many of the medications that help increase platelet count have oral side effects (Table 1).4

Medications for treatment of purpura

Fortunately, the overall mortality rate for ITP is less than 1%.18 Often, the morbidity and mortality caused by ITP treatment are worse than those caused by the disease itself.18 ITP patients who have persistent severe thrombocytopenia that does not respond within the first 2 years of treatment are at a much higher risk of complications than those whose ITP is more responsive to or does not require treatment.19

IMPLICATIONS FOR DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

Dental professionals need to take special precautions when treating patients with ITP. Obtaining a detailed medical and dental history, including the patient’s current and past history of treatment and medication use, as well as the patient’s current platelet count, is crucial to providing safe and effective treatment.20

There are several oral manifestations that can present in patients with ITP, including spontaneous gingival bleeding, petechiae, and purpura.4 Petechiae and hemorrhages can occur on the palate, tonsil area, and buccal mucosa (Figures 1-4).21 The gingiva may be edematous, soft, and friable.23 Gingival bleeding during dental treatment may be difficult to control.21

Patients’ platelet counts should be above 50,000/mcL to safely perform routine dental treatments.20 Dental surgery and any other procedures that could cause bleeding, including periodontal debridement, are contraindicated in patients who have a platelet count below 50,000/mcL.20 Dental treatment should be postponed until laboratory results show improvement in patients’ platelet counts and decreased risk of bleeding.4 Patients may need to have a platelet transfusion, corticosteroid treatment, or other therapies to increase their platelet count to an acceptable level for oral surgery.20

Medications that induce an anti-coagulant or anti-platelet effect (including aspirin ibuprofen, warfarin, and heparin) should be avoided, and patients should be instructed to avoid these medications at home.20 As noted in Table 1, medications used in the treatment of ITP may produce oral side effects.

Intraoral photographs of a 35-year-old man with immune thrombocytopenic purpura who presented for dental hygiene care with a blood platelet count of 60,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

Purpura Purpura on the tongue Purpura Purpura

Patients with ITP should have restorative and endodontic treatment when possible versus extraction and surgical procedures due to their increased risk of bleeding and infection.20 Patients must also be educated about proper dental plaque control to prevent inflammation, bleeding, and infection.22 Caries management programs should be implemented in patients with increased risk and may include dietary recommendations, fluoride, and placement of pit and fissure sealants.20

Corticosteroids are commonly administered to patients who suffer from ITP, and they can cause adrenal insufficiency and adrenal crisis. Adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and appear at the top of the kidneys, while the adrenal cortex is part of the adrenal gland that makes specific hormones, such as cortisone and aldosterone.23 When patients take systemic corticosteroids, their bodies may stop producing these hormones naturally in the adrenal cortex, resulting in suppression of the adrenal gland (adrenal insufficiency).24 Adrenal insufficiency occurs when patients with ITP have been taking corticosteroids for a long period or if they are not properly tapered off of the medication.24 Adrenal insufficiency becomes problematic in the dental setting when patients are exposed to very stressful events, including dental procedures and dental surgeries.24 When the body reacts to stress, it requires increased production of the cortisol hormone from the adrenal cortex to properly deal with the stress.23 Patients who take corticosteroids for an extended period do not produce as much adrenocorticotropic hormone and their adrenal cortex may atrophy.23 If a dental procedure causes a heightened level of stress, they may go into adrenal crisis—a lifethreatening condition.23

Dental professionals need to know whether a patient is taking systemic corticosteroids and the dosage. They must also be able to assess whether a dental procedure will be considered stressful. Dental professionals should also be able to recognize the symptoms of adrenal crisis and be prepared to respond to this medical emergency (Table 2).23 Acting quickly is imperative if a patient exhibits signs of adrenal crisis. The patient should be placed in a supine position, his or her airway, breathing, pulse, and blood pressure need to be assessed, and emergency medical services must be called.23 While waiting for medical services to arrive, the patient’s vital signs should be monitored, he or she should be provided with emotional support, and oxygen should be administered at 2 L to 5 L per minute via a nasal canula.23

To prevent adrenal crisis from occurring, dental professionals must take a detailed medical history of the patient, understand the procedures the patient will undergo, and asses the patient’s feelings about dental treatment. The patient’s physician should be contacted prior to performing dental surgery.24 A patient with ITP may need to increase his or her dose of steroids prior to the dental procedure. Dental professionals should also confirm that the patient took the recommended dose of the steroid medication within 2 hours of the dental procedure.24

SUMMARY

ITP is a complex disorder that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Researchers are trying to discover the true etiology of this disorder in order to find better treatment options and a possible cure. ITP can occur in people of different genders, ages, and ethnicities. While some may not exhibit any symptoms, others may be plagued with noticeable signs, such as purpura and excessive bleeding. Dental professionals should be aware of the symptoms of this disorder, understand its oral health implications, and recognize when dental treatment is contraindicated in order to provide patients with the best care possible and to prevent any adverse events from occurring during the dental appointment.

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Authors:

Melissa Mann, RDH, BS and Ellen B. Grimes, RDH, MA, MPA, EdD

Professional articles about dentistry: Medical emergencies