Reports of the incidence of ITP are few and their methodology is variable. Accurate estimates of the incidence of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are important to understand the medical and public health impact of the disease. To critically review all published reports on the incidence of ITP in children and adults, all articles identified on the Medline database (searched January 1, 1966‐August 7, 2009) that reported data on the incidence of ITP were retrieved. Articles which directly estimated the incidence of ITP were selected for review. Eight articles reported the incidence of acute ITP in children. After review, four were determined to have the strongest estimates, based on the method of patient identification and study design. The lowest incidence estimate in these four studies was 2.2 per 105 children/year (95% confidence interval 1.9, 2.4) and the highest incidence estimate was 5.3 per 105 children/year (95% confidence interval 4.3, 6.4). Three studies reported the incidence of ITP in adults. The estimate from the article with the strongest methodology reported an incidence estimate of 3.3 per 105 adults/year. The current strongest estimate of the incidence of acute ITP in children is between 1.9 and 6.4 per 105 children/year; for adults the current strongest estimate of the incidence of ITP is 3.3 per 105 adults/year. An important limitation of these studies is that they are primarily from Europe and may not be generalizable to all regions. Am. J. Hematol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Cancer survivors are at increased risk for comorbid conditions, and acceptance of healthy behaviors may reduce dysfunction and improve long-term health. Ultimately, opportunities exist for clinicians to promote lifestyle changes that may improve the length and quality of life of their patients.

The modified Ferriman Gallwey Map scoring system has too much variation to be clinically useful.

Despite the relatively small sample size of American Indian youth, these results suggest an important role for specific youth assets in the prevention of substance abuse among American Indian youth.

Objective To determine the prevalence of ITP in Oklahoma regardless of age, clinical characteristics, insurance status, and source of health care. Study Design and Setting Patients with ITP were identified by the administrative code ICD-9-CM 287.3 in Oklahoma hematologists’ offices for a 2-year period, 2003–2004. Prevalence was estimated separately for children (<16 years old) and adults because of their distinct clinical characteristics. Oklahoma census data for 2000 was used as the denominator. Results Eighty-seven (94%) of 93 eligible Oklahoma hematologists participated; 620 patients with ITP were identified. The average annual prevalences were: 8.1 (95% CI 6.7, 9.5) per 100,000 children, 12.1 (95% CI 11.1, 13.0) per 100,000 adults, and 11.2 (95% CI 10.4, 12.0) per 100,000 population. Among children and adults less than age 70 years, the prevalence was greater among women. Among adults aged 70 years and older, the prevalence was greater among men. The highest prevalence of ITP was among men age 80 years and older. Conclusion These data document for the first time the prevalence of ITP regardless of age, clinical characteristics, insurance status, and source of health care. The methodology developed for this prevalence analysis may be adaptable for epidemiologic studies of other uncommon disorders which lack specific diagnostic criteria and are treated primarily by medical specialists.