Assessment of interleukin 37 levels and the venous system in immune thrombocytopenic purpura patients on treatment

Abstract Background Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is one of the most common causes of thrombocytopenia. It is an acquired thrombocytopenia caused by anti-platelet autoantibodies. Bleeding is the predominant clinical manifestation and is often correlated with thrombocytopenia severity. However, patients with chronic ITP may also have an increased risk for venous thromboembolism. Interleukin 37 (IL-37) is a cytokine of the IL-1 family, some of which are important for inflammation and angiogenesis. We aimed to estimate the incidence of venous thrombosis in patients with ITP and to determine the correlation between the IL-37 concentration and the risk of thrombosis. Patients and methods We conducted a case-control study including 100 ITP patients (group A) and 30 healthy controls (group B). All patients were assessed for IL-37 levels and the presence of venous thrombosis using colored vascular Doppler. Results In our study, there was a statistically significant correlation between IL-37 levels and thrombopoietin levels ( P value=0.043). No statistically significant differences were found between IL-37 levels in groups A and B ( P value=0.058). We cannot correlate IL-37 with thrombosis, as none of our patients had thrombosis. Conclusion Since there was no statistically significant correlation between the two groups IL-37 levels, probably, IL-37 is not involved in ITP progression. Furthermore, as none of our patients experienced thrombosis, there was no connection between IL-37 and thrombosis.