Background rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for selected thromboembolic and coagulation disorders in Ontario, Canada, 2015 to 2020, to inform COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to estimate background rates of selected thromboembolic and coagulation disorders in Ontario, Canada.DesignPopulation-based retrospective observational study using linked health administrative databases. Records of hospitalizations and emergency department visits were searched to identify cases using diagnostic codes from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Canada (ICD-10-CA).ParticipantsAll Ontario residents.Primary outcome measuresIncidence rates of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and cerebral venous thrombosis during five pre-pandemic years (2015–2019, annually, averaged, and monthly average) and 2020.ResultsThe average annual population was 14 million with 51% female. The mean annual rates during 2015–2019 were 127.1/100,000 population (95% confidence interval [CI], 126.2, 127.9) for ischemic stroke, 22.0/100,000 (95%CI, 21.6, 22.3) for intracerebral haemorrhage, 9.4 (95%CI, 9.2, 9.7) for subarachnoid haemorrhage, 86.8/100,000 (95%CI, 86.1, 87.5) for deep vein thrombosis, 63.7/100,000 (95%CI, 63.1, 64.3) for pulmonary embolism, 6.1/100,000 (95%CI, 5.9, 6.3) for idiopathic thrombocytopenia, 1.6/100,000 (95%CI, 1.5, 1.7) for disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 1.5/100,000 (95%CI, 1.4, 1.6) for cerebral venous thrombosis. Rates were lower in 2020 than during the pre-pandemic years for ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Rates were generally consistent over time, except for pulmonary embolism, which increased from 57.1 to 68.5 per 100,000 between 2015 and 2019. Rates were higher for females than males for subarachnoid haemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral venous thrombosis, and vice versa for ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage. Rates increased with age for most of these conditions, but idiopathic thrombocytopenia demonstrated a bimodal distribution with incidence peaks at 0–19 years and ≥60 years.ConclusionsOur estimated background rates help to contextualize observed events of these potential adverse events of special interest and to detect potential safety signals related to COVID-19 vaccines.Strengths and limitations of this study➢Recent background rates of selected thromboembolic and coagulation disorders that are potential adverse events special interest related to COVID-19 vaccine are estimated.➢Background rates during five pre-pandemic (2015–2019) years and 2020 will provide context for these events to identify vaccine safety signals.➢We used recorded diagnostic codes in administrative data without information on clinical and/or diagnostic confirmation, and the validity of these data are imperfect, which may result in under or overestimation.

Retrospective Evaluation of Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia in Libyan Children

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most common cause of acquired thrombocytopenia in children. Approximately 10-20% of children with Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) suffer from a chronic clinical disease that requires follow up and medical intervention according to the severity of bleeding manifestation. Aims: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory features, treatment modalities, and response to therapy in Libyan children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the hematology clinic of the pediatric department, Benghazi medical center, and Benghazi Children Hospital. The duration of the study was from January 1998 to December 2018. comprised of demographics, clinical, laboratory data, therapy and therapy response in Libyan chronic ITP. Results: In our study, the mean age of chronic ITP patients was 4.9 years, slightly higher in male patients 43 (52.4%) With a male/female ratio 1.1:1. The most frequent symptoms were mild which were limited to bruises and petechiae on the skin. (57.3%). The preceding history of viral infection was uncommon in patients with chronic ITP (22%) while the past history of MMR vaccination is quite rare and constituted only (2%). The mean platelet count before treatment (i.e. at presentation) was (22.7x109/L) while mean platelet count after treatment (213.6 x109/L. Treatment consisted of combined Steroid + IVIG in 27 (77.1% response), steroids in 23 (73.9% response), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in 11 (90.9% response), and no therapy in 21 (95.2% response).Complete response was achieved in 82.9% % showed a complete response either spontaneous or following the treatment. No patient was presented with intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions: Chronic ITP in Libyan children had a benign nature, none of our patients developed severe symptoms as life-threatening bleeding like CNS bleeding or died, IVIG give more optimistic response as compare to steroid. And the majority of children with chronic ITP in this study achieved remission.

A Case Report: Isolated Pontine Lesion in Hypertensive of a Pregnant Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neuroradiologic diagnosis characterised by headache, seizures, altered mental status, and a spectrum of visual deficits ranging from visual neglect to cortical blindness. PRES manifestation is a situation of medical emergency; however, it is a fully reversible condition, especially when diagnosed and treated immediately. The main problem lies in the impairment of cerebral blood flow autoregulation which, in turn, leads to endothelial dysfunction and vasogenic brain oedema. MRI indicates cerebral oedema in the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes. Brainstem involvement is very rare in the literature. Idiopathic thrombocytopenia-related PRES is also rare in the literature. In this article, a case of PRES with only pons involvement in MRI after hypertensive attack in a pregnant patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenia is presented. PRES may present only brainstem involvement, as seen in this present case. Whether or not mild hypertension and mild thrombocytopenia found in this case are associated with limited disease should be evaluated. Prolonged spreading depression may have a role in the pathophysiology of PRES.

Case Report: Rare comorbidity of celiac disease and Evans syndrome

Background: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy due to permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Evans syndrome is an autoimmune disorder designated with simultaneous or successive development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia and/or immune neutropenia in the absence of any cause. Case Report: We report a rare case of Celiac disease and Evans syndrome in a 20-year-old female who presented to us with generalized weakness and shortness of breath. Her examination finding included anemia, jaundice, and raised jugular venous pulse. Her abdominal exam revealed hepatosplenomegaly. Her laboratory values showed microcytic anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. To rule out secondary causes of idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, we tested viral markers for Human immunodeficiency virus, Epstein bar virus, Cytomegalovirus and performed a Helicobacter pylori test, all of which were negative. We also ruled out idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura associated with any thyroid disorder. For celiac disease, we took anti-tissue transgulataminase titers of IgA and IgG which confirmed the diagnosis of celiac disease. For the diagnosis of Evans syndrome, despite a negative serum coombs test initially, her bone marrow sample showed a positive Coombs test along with immune mediated hemolytic anemia and immune mediated thrombocytopenia. The patient was treated with prednisone which was tapered off and counseling was provided regarding a gluten free diet. Conclusion: Although rare, tests for Evans syndrome (and other coexisting autoimmune problems) should be performed in patients with celiac disease.

A Surgically Treated Case of Ureterovesical Amyloidosis of the Bladder in a Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia

Idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder involving the destruction of platelets by the immune system. Systemic amyloidosis is another bleeding disorder involving amyloid deposits that create defects in coagulation and increased prothrombin and thrombin times. We report a 52-year-old man with ITP and new two-month-duration, painless gross hematuria without clot formation resulting in amyloidosis involving the ureterovesical area of the bladder. He had osteopenia, hypertension, and moderate thrombocytopenia due to ITP diagnosed 7 years previously. Cystoscopic examination with urine cytology and computed tomography imaging detected a 2-cm protruding solid bladder mass involving the left ureteral orifice and trigone and left mild hydroureteronephrosis, suggesting bladder cancer. Transurethral resection of the bladder mass was performed to confirm amyloidosis involvement in the ureterovesical junction of the bladder and ureter. Four weeks postoperatively, intermittent gross hematuria remained; hence, left ureteroneocystostomy was performed. Regular follow-up showed no signs of hematuria or intravesical recurrences for 14 months.