Analysis of health-related quality of life in children with immune thrombocytopenia and their parents using the kids' ITP tools

The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of immune trombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have been extensively studied, but data on its effect on health-related quality of life in children remain sparse. To shed more light on this issue, we administered the Kids' ITP Tools (KIT) questionnaire to 17 children with ITP attending a tertiary pediatric medical center and their parents (n=34). The mean KIT score was significantly lower in the parents' group than in the children's group (P=0.000). The main domains of concern for the parents were disease side effects and their child's future; the children were mostly concerned about the need to restrict physical activities. The presence of acute versus chronic disease had no impact on the KIT score in either group. These findings stress the need to develop different interventional programs for children with ITP and their parents to provide appropriate support to each.