On the occasion of the presentation of the ‘Itp – Traveling with Werlhof’ initiative, promoted by Sobi Italia with the patronage of Aipit Aps Onlus, the pan-European survey ‘Trapeze’ was illustrated, which returns a photograph of the life experience of people with Itp (Immune Thrombocytopenia). Conducted with the support of Sobi and the collaboration of patient organizations in England, Ireland, Spain, Holland, Germany and Italy, ‘Trapeze’ highlighted the needs and difficulties of people with ITP who participated in the data collection.
The 69 people involved in the survey, whose average age is 45.4 years, with an average time since diagnosis of 13.7 years and a female prevalence equal to two thirds of the total, stated that the most disabling symptom is fatigue, chronic fatigue and tiredness, followed by anxiety and bruising. While, in terms of incidence, the most common symptoms are bruises (79%), petechiae (62%), hematomas (49%), fatigue (61%) and anxiety about platelet counts (51%) ). The ITP forced 21.2% of participants to seek psychological support or mental health services.
The impact of the ITP also extends to the work, social and family spheres. 91% of the participants had to change their work due to the disease, to the point of having to reduce the number of working hours per week for a third of them. At the same time, the progression of the disease can also affect the relationship with the partner, with the family, even with friends. The lack of social contacts is, in fact, a constant in the testimonies of patients. Finally, anxieties regarding the platelet count and, in the last two years, the risks of Covid-19 infection emerge. Regarding treatment, the method of administration, drug and food interactions, and dosing frequency are the most significant factors of treatment preference.
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