Table Publications Home

1. The candidate drug (a) preceded thrombocytopenia and (b) recovery from thrombocytopenia was complete and sustained after the drug was discontinued

2. The candidate drug was (a) the only drug used prior to the onset of thrombocytopenia or (b) other drugs were continued or reintroduced after discontinuation of the candidate drug with a sustained normal platelet count

3. Other etiologies for thrombocytopenia were excluded

4. Re-exposure to the candidate drug resulted in recurrent thrombocytopenia

1. Thrombocytopenia definitely caused by drug. Criteria 1, 2, 3, and 4 met.
2. Thrombocytopenia probably caused by drug. Criteria 1, 2, and 3 met.
3. Thrombocytopenia possibly caused by drug. Criteria 1 met.
4. Thrombocytopenia unlikely caused by drug. Criteria 1 not met.

Excluded: see criteria below

EXCLUSION: Criteria for excluding articles from further review

1. insufficient clinical data with which to evaluate the relation between drug administration and thrombocytopenia

2. platelet count of 100 000 cells/mL or more

3. use of a known cytotoxic agent that causes marrow suppression

4. cases in which the patient was exposed to a nontherapeutic agent or used an agent in a nontherapeutic manner (for example, environmental toxins, illicit drugs, drug overdose, and drugs not currently in use)

5. drug-induced disease that included thrombocytopenia but predominantly involved other abnormalities, such as aplastic anemia or the thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome

6. patient age of 16 years or younger