Background: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reduction in the number of circulating platelets. Corticosteroid therapy, which has been used in ITP for many years, has produced a complete or partial response rate of 65% to 75%, although sustained remissions have been reported in only 18% to 32%, of the patients. The purpose of the present study is to define response to each treatment and ultimate outcome of adults with ITP.
Method : A clinical study was done on 35 casas of ITP who had admitted to the department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital from June 1983 to July
1996. Ths response of each treatment modalities was basso on criteria of Defino and Cooperative Latin American Group on Hsmostasis and Thrombosis.
Results: The mean ass of patients was 41.9 years old and female to male ratio was 1:0.6 (female:22 casas, mals:13 cases). The complete response rate to intravenous γ
-globulin as early therapy was obtained in 72% of the patients and the duration to platelet count above 50,000/μL was 3 days after intravenous γ-globulin therapy.
Duration of response was 15 days. Ths CCR(continuing complete response) to cortlcosterold was obtained in 16% of the patients, and no CCR to reinduction with corticosteroid was observed. Ths CR to splenectomy was obtained in 85% of the patients. The overall results of all therapeutic modalities were CCR 43%, TCR(temporary complete response) 20%, PR(partial response) 31%, and NR(no response) 6%.
Conclusion: This analysis of ITP in adults suggests that splenectomy remains as the most effective treatment and intravenous γ-globulin is effective for rapid elevation of
platelet count.

Keywords: Idiopathic Thrombocytopsnic Purpura, Therapy, Ⅳ γ-globulin, Splenectomy, Steroid