Characteristics of corticosteroid-resistant secondary immune
thrombocytopenia associated with connective tissue diseases: a
retrospective study in China
Abstract
Objective: Corticosteroid-resistant secondary immune thrombocytopenia
(ITP) is a challenging condition in clinical practice. This study aimed
to explore the clinical and immunological characteristics of
corticosteroid-resistant secondary ITP associated with connective tissue
diseases (CTD-ITP). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of
201 CTD-ITP patients hospitalized between 2014 and 2022. Patients were
categorized as corticosteroid-resistant or corticosteroid-sensitive, and
their clinical, immunological, and demographic data were compared.
Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent
predictors of corticosteroid resistance. Results: Corticosteroid
resistance was observed in 27.4% of patients. Compared with the
sensitive group, the resistant group exhibited a higher percentage of
CD3+T cell (71.38% versus 64.70%, p=0.004) and
CD3+CD8+T cell (38.55% versus
28.95%, p=0.003), but a lower percentage of
CD3−CD19+ B cell (13.70% versus
22.45%, p=0.001) in peripheral blood. No significant differences were
found in demographics, clinical features, or autoantibody profiles. And
the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that percentage of
CD3+CD8+T cells (OR=1.117, 95% CI:
1.014-1.350, p=0.031) was independent risk factors for corticosteroid
resistance in CTD-ITP patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the
role of CD3+CD8+T cells in
corticosteroid resistance among CTD-ITP patients, suggesting that
cellular immunity plays a key role in this resistance and providing
potential biomarkers for personalized treatment strategies.