Improved quality of life for romiplostim-treated patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura: results from two randomized, placebo-controlled trials

Br J Haematol. 2009 Feb;144(3):409-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07464.x. Epub 2008 Nov 11.

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a major concern for adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) due to the symptoms associated with the disease and its treatment. This study utilized the ITP-patient assessment questionnaire (ITP-PAQ), a specialized HRQoL questionnaire for ITP, to investigate the humanistic burden of ITP and the impact of romiplostim therapy on HRQoL in two, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trials of splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients. ITP-PAQ was self-administered to ITP patients at baseline, and weeks 4, 12 and 24 of treatment. Splenectomized patients had lower baseline HRQoL scores than non-splenectomized patients in seven of 10 scales (P < 0.05). After 24 weeks of romiplostim therapy, splenectomized patients showed significant improvements over placebo in four of 10 ITP-PAQ Scales (Symptoms, P = 0.0337; Bother, P = 0.0126; Social Activity, P = 0.0145; and Women's Reproductive Health, P = 0.0184). Non-splenectomized patients demonstrated significant improvement over placebo in the Activity Scale (P = 0.0458). Data pooled from the two trials, adjusted for splenectomy status, showed significant improvement for romiplostim-treated patients in six scales; Symptoms, Bother, Activity, Fear, Social Activity and Women's Reproductive Health. These results suggest that adult patients with chronic ITP have improved HRQoL following romiplostim therapy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carrier Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychometrics
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / drug therapy*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / psychology*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / surgery
  • Quality of Life*
  • Receptors, Fc / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Splenectomy
  • Thrombopoietin
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Thrombopoietin
  • romiplostim