RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Some studies suggest that thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) occurs more often in African Americans. However there is low evidence for this in the literature. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and biological characteristics of TTP in the Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients with TTP diagnosed at the Fort-de-France hospital between 2008, January 1st and 2015, December 31st. Diagnosis was confirmed if ADAMTS-13 activity was<10 %. RESULTS: Ten patients were included, corresponding to an average annual incidence of 3.2 cases/year/million individuals. None of the patient presented with the association of the five characteristic features of TTP. Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and severe peripheral thrombocytopenia (median: 13G/L) was the main presentation leading to diagnosis. There was no kidney involvement in 90 % of all patients, but severe neurological manifestations occurred in 70 %. Classical management including corticosteroids and plasma exchanges allowed clinical remission in 6 out of the 10 cases. If necessary, rituximab or cyclophosphamide was used. The overall survival rate was 90 %. CONCLUSION: In Martinique, the incidence of TTP is twice that reported in similar studies in France. Clinical manifestations seem to differ by more common and more severe neurological involvement. Mortality is low, in part, due to optimal care.