Epidemiological update of the hospital discharge rate due to immune thrombocytopenic purpura in the adult population during 2021-2024 in Chile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52611/confluencia.2026.1845Keywords:
Chile, Epidemiology, Hospitalization, Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, IdiopathicAbstract
Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an autoimmune disorder characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia that may require hospitalization due to severe bleeding. Objective: To describe hospital discharge rate for immune thrombocytopenic purpura during 2021-2024 in Chile. Methodology: A descriptive observational study was conducted using hospital discharge data for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (n=1.813) in the adult population of Chile between 2021 and 2024. Discharges were analyzed according to sex, age group, and length of hospital stay. Data were obtained from the Department of Health Statistics and Information, and population estimates were derived from the National Institute of Statistics. Hospital discharge rate was calculated per 100,000 inhabitants, and the average length of stay was assessed. Ethics committee approval was not required. Result: The average hospital discharge rate for the study period was 3,04/100.000 inhabitants. In 2021, the lowest hospital discharge rate was observed (2,59), increasing progressively to 3,55 in 2024. Females had a higher hospital discharge rate (3,66), while the highest hospital discharge rate (4,84) was observed in the 65-79-year age group. The longest average length of stay was recorded in 2022 (9,64 days). Discussion: The lowest hospital discharge rate observed in 2021 may reflect hospital bed reallocation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The subsequent increase might be related to cumulative cases and decompensated chronic conditions. Higher hospital discharge rate in older adults and women may be related to immunosenescence and stronger humoral immunity, respectively. Conclusion: Female and older adults have been identified as potential high-risk groups, supporting the progress of evidence-based public health strategies.
References
1. Anat GG. Current approaches for the diagnosis and management of immune thrombocytopenia. Eur J Intern Med [Internet]. 2023 [citado el 29 de marzo 2026];108:18-24. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2022.11.022
2. Liu XG, Hou Y, Hou M. How we treat primary immune thrombocytopenia in adults. J Hematol Oncol [Internet]. 2023 [citado el 29 de marzo 2026];16(1):4. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13045-023-01401-z
3. Mititelu A, Onisâi MC, Roșca A, Vlădăreanu AM. Current Understanding of Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review of Pathogenesis and Treatment Options. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2024 [citado el 29 de marzo 2026];25(4):2163. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042163
4. Onisâi M, Vlădăreanu AM, Spînu A, Găman M, Bumbea H. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) - new era for an old disease. Rom J Intern Med [Internet]. 2019 [citado el 29 de marzo 2026];57(4):273-83. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/rjim-2019-0014
5. Madkhali MA. Recent advances in the management of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP): A comprehensive review. Medicine (Baltimore) [Internet]. 2024 [citado el 29 de marzo 2026];103(3):e36936. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000036936
6. Tegtmeier R, Poblete R, Jeria M. Análisis de los efectos de la pandemia por COVID-19 en los beneficiarios de las Isapres: Efectos en el Sistema Isapre, años 2020-2021 [Internet]. Santiago: Superintendencia de Salud; 2022 [citado el 12 de abril 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.superdesalud.gob.cl/664/articles-20857_recurso_1.pdf
7. Choi YB, Jung HJ, Kim HR, Jeong SI. Changes in the Incidence of Immune Thrombocytopenia in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era: A Nationwide Observational Study in Korea. Risk Manag Healthc Policy [Internet]. 2023 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];16:667-76. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S403196
8. Klein SL, Flanagan KL. Sex differences in immune responses. Nat Rev Immunol [Internet]. 2016 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];16(10):626-38. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nri.2016.90
9. Rata Mohan DS, Jawahir S, Manual A, Abdul Mutalib NE, Mohd Noh SN, Ab Rahim I, et al. Gender differences in health-seeking behaviour: insights from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2025 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];25(1):900. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13020-0
10. Crickx E, Mahévas M, Michel M, Godeau B. Older Adults and Immune Thrombocytopenia: Considerations for the Clinician. Clin Interv Aging [Internet]. 2023 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];18:115-30. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S369574
11. Provan D, Arnold DM, Bussel JB, Chong BH, Cooper N, Gernsheimer T, et al. Updated international consensus report on the investigation and management of primary immune thrombocytopenia. Blood Adv [Internet]. 2019 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];3(22):3780-817. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000812
12. Neunert C, Terrell DR, Arnold DM, Buchanan G, Cines DB, Cooper N, et al. American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for immune thrombocytopenia. Blood Adv [Internet]. 2019 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];3(23):3829-66. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2019000966
13. Lambert C, Maitland H, Ghanima W. Risk-based and individualised management of bleeding and thrombotic events in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Eur J Haematol [Internet]. 2024 [citado el 12 de abril 2026];112(4):504-15. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ejh.14154
14. Lucchini E, Fanin R, Cooper N, Zaja F. Management of immune thrombocytopenia in elderly patients. Eur J Intern Med [Internet]. 2018 [citado el 21 de abril 2026];58:70-6. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.09.005
15. 2023 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Impact of COVID-19 on Hospital Care [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2023 [citado el 21 de abril 2026]. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK600451/
16. Ministerio de Salud de Chile. Informe Epidemiológico N°21. Vigilancia Genómica de SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) [Internet]. Santiago: MINSAL; 2022 [citado el 21 de abril 2026] Disponible en: https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Informe_Variantes-21.pdf
17. Solis J, Acosta M, Caldo F, Carmona M, Diaz C, Wajner C, et al. Factores sociales y de salud relacionados a la discontinuidad de los tratamientos en adultos chilenos con enfermedades crónicas durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Rev Med Chile [Internet]. 2024 [citado el 21 de abril 2026];152(10). Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0034-98872024001001038
18. Alharbi MG, Alanazi N, Yousef A, Alanazi N, Alotaibi B, Aljurf M, et al. COVID-19 associated with immune thrombocytopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Hematol [Internet]. 2022 [citado el 21 de abril 2026];15(2):157-66. Disponible en: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17474086.2022.2029699
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Confluencia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
