ALBERT

Description: Background:Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder, characterized by increased platelet destruction and impaired platelet production. Therefore, affected patients present with bleeding complications of various severity. However, another frequent complication of ITP is fatigue, which is often underestimated. In Europe the oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist Eltrombopag (EPAG) is licensed for the treatment of patients with persistent and chronic ITP who are refractory to previous treatments. EPAG has previously been shown to elevate platelet count and reduce bleeding complications in ITP patients, but the therapeutic effect on fatigue is unclear. Here we present data from the scheduled 3rd interim analysis of the RISA study. Methods:RISA is an ongoing, single-cohort, non-interventional, multicenter observational study. The individual follow-up period is approximately 24 months. Dosage of EPAG and treatment of patients follows the Summary of Product Characteristic (SmPC) or the routine of treating physicians. Fatigue is assessed at baseline and during the study using the FACIT-Fatigue Scale (Version 4). Annual interim analyses are performed to assess treatment effectiveness and safety. For this interim analysis, an evaluation of patients with prior application of Rituximab is planned. Results:210 patients received at least one dose of EPAG and completed one post baseline assessment. Mean±SD age was 63.1±17.4 years, median (range) duration of ITP was 5.6 (0.0- 44.9) years, 10% were splenectomized, 52.4% were female, median platelet count (range) at baseline was 33.5x109/L (0.0-270.0), 37.6% reported bleeding complications (any grade) within 12 months prior baseline (WHO °I 30% , °II 4.8% , °III 1.9% , °IV 0% , 1% grade missing), 85.2% received prior ITP therapy, and 81.4% had at least one concomitant disease. At least one pre-treatment was given to 179 patients. More than half received prednisolone (46.2%) or prednisone (9%) and 24.3% dexamethasone or immuno globulins (20%). Rituximab as pre-treatment was given to 2.9% of the patients but further analysis is not possible due to the small number. Mean±SD daily dose of EPAG was 45.1±14.4 mg. Treatment with EPAG increased median (range) platelet count to 90x109/L (2.0-617.0) within one month. After two years of treatment median (range) platelet count was 122 (9.0-335.0) (Fig. 1). After one month, 75% of the patients showed treatment response, after 24 months 89 % of the patients exhibited platelet counts above 50x109/L. At baseline mean±SD FACIT-Fatigue Score was 36.3±11.1 and remained unchanged during the two-year observation period (38.0±13.3) (Fig. 1). In a first subgroup analysis, 55 (31%) of 175 patients with an evaluable questionnaire at baseline suffered from severe fatigue (score