Hepatitis C virus-related thrombocytopenia: clinical and laboratory characteristics compared with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombocytopenia can be a complication of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. However, there is little published data regarding the clinical and laboratory manifestations of HCV-related thrombocytopenia (HCV-TP) compared with adult chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (CITP). We reviewed the medical records for all patients evaluated for chronic thrombocytopenia by the Haematology Service between January 1996 and June 2000. All patients were screened for HCV infection at the time of initial diagnosis. Of 250 patients who fulfilled American Society of Hematology criteria for CITP, 76 (30%) were HCV seropositive. HCV-TP patients were older [mean age (+/-SD) 54.9 +/- 8 years vs. 40.3 +/- 8 years, P