Platelet antibody levels do not correlate with response to therapy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Platelet bound antibody was measured at presentation in 67 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura by means of a quantitative antiglobulin consumption technique. The amounts of antibody present on the platelets of patients who failed steroid therapy were similar to those present on the platelets of patients who achieved a remission of their illness. It was also not possible on the basis of these data to identify those patients whose illness would remit after splenectomy. It is concluded that the pretreatment platelet antibody level does not assist in predicting the responses to treatment.