Joel, a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), describes one episode that led to him stay in the hospital for 35 days.
This rare disease is a potentially life-threatening, hematologic condition due to decreased activity of ADAMTS13, the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease. Decrease activity of this enzyme leads to an accumulation of ULvWF multimers that bind to platelets leading to severe thrombocytopenia, tissue ischemia, and organ dysfunction.
The episodes that occur in TTR can be very traumatic and as Joel explains in this interview, the physical and cognitive problems that can occur during an episode can make it difficult to properly convey the information necessary to get properly cared for.
For more information about TTP and other hematologic conditions, visit checkrare.com/hematologic-disorders/