Low-dose danazol was very effective for treating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis

Abstract

We encountered a hemodialysis patient complicated by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 60-yearold man had been on hemodialysis due to diabetic nephropathy until May 1999. We administered alprostadil from ／ November 2002 when arteriosclerosis obliterans worsened. Thrombocytes decreased to 0.6×10 4 ／mL on February 2003. Although alprostadil and other drugs were discontinued thrombocytopenia did not abate and bone marrow assessment showed ITP. He started oral steroid therapy for ITP but there was no response. Thereafter, developed ／ a he perianal abscess. Secondly, oral danazol was initiated and three days later, thrombocytes rose to 2.6×10 4