Efficacy of Lusutrombopag for Chronic Liver Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Suga Takayoshi, Kakizaki Satoru, Naganuma Atsushi, Hatanaka Takeshi, Takakusagi Satoshi, Takizawa Daichi, Arai Hirotaka, Ueno Takashi, Iizuka Keisuke, Fukuchi Toru, Saito Shuichi, Tojima Hiroki, Yamazaki Yuichi, Uraoka Toshio
Primary Institution: NHO Takasaki General Medical Center
Hypothesis
Does the efficacy of lusutrombopag vary based on pre-treatment platelet counts in patients with chronic liver disease?
Conclusion
Lusutrombopag is effective in increasing platelet counts in patients with chronic liver disease, but its efficacy is lower in those with very low pre-treatment platelet counts and in patients with non-viral liver disease.
Supporting Evidence
- 81.4% of patients treated with lusutrombopag did not require platelet transfusions.
- 74.3% achieved a platelet count of 50,000/μL on the day of the invasive procedure.
- Patients with a pretreatment platelet count < 40,000/μL had a significantly lower rate of achieving a platelet count of ≥ 50,000/μL.
- Patients with viral-related cirrhosis showed a significantly greater change in platelet count than others.
- The change in platelet count was significantly lower in the second treatment than in the first treatment.
Takeaway
This study shows that a medicine called lusutrombopag can help people with liver problems have more platelets, which are important for stopping bleeding, but it works better for some people than others.
Methodology
A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on patients treated with lusutrombopag at nine hospitals from December 2015 to December 2023.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the retrospective nature of the study and patient selection.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and has a small sample size.
Participant Demographics
Median age of 70.5 years, 50% male, all patients had liver cirrhosis.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.038
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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