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Medical Information | Non-US Health Care Professionals
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia

Learning the signs is the first step toward recognizing Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia

Learning the signs is the first step toward recognizing Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia

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learningthe signs

Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare bleeding disorder characterized by impaired platelet function. Patients may experience symptoms ranging from minimal bruising to potentially fatal hemorrhages. Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia shares symptoms with other bleeding disorders, making diagnosis difficult.1-4

GT: a rare bleeding disorder that’s challenging to diagnose

Extremely
rare

Only approximately 1 in 1 million people are affected by GT1

Difficult to
diagnose

Similar symptoms as other acquired platelet disorders and vWD3,4

Diverse patient population

GT affects both males and females, often without a diagnosed family history5

vWD=von Willebrand disease

GT is caused by defects in the GPIIb/IIIa receptor on platelets6

  • GPIIb/IIIa, a receptor on the platelet surface, mediates platelet aggregation6
  • GPIIb/IIIa is decreased or dysfunctional in patients with GT6
  • As a result, platelet plugs do not form effectively during vessel injury, leading to lengthy episodes of bleeding6

When do GT patients experience their first bleed symptoms?

53% of GT patients experience their first bleed symptom by age 1 6,a
85% of GT patients experience their first bleed symptom by age 14 6,a

aBased on data from Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia Registry (GTR).

GT patients’ bleeds can be severe

Most patients with Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia present with spontaneous and moderate bleeds. However, ~26% of bleeds in GT patients are severe.7,b

Severity of bleeding episodes

Types of bleeding episodes

Severity of GT patients' bleeds

Types of bleeding episodes

Types of GT patients’ bleeds

Learn how to spot the signs of Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia

Review the common signs and symptoms of Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia and see how patients typically present with this rare bleeding disorder.

References:

  1. Di Minno G, Coppola A, Di Minno MND, et al. Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (defective platelet integrin alpha(IIb)-beta(3)): proposals for management between evidence and open issues. Thromb Haemost. 2009;102(6):1157-1164.
  2. Nurden AT, Pillois X, Nurden P. Understanding the genetic basis of Glanzmann thrombasthenia: implications for treatment. Exp Rev Hematol. 2012;5(5):487-503
  3. Solh T, Botsford A, Solh M. Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current and emerging treatment options. J Blood Med. 2015;6:219-227.
  4. Lambert MP. What to do when you suspect an inherited platelet disorder. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2011;2011:377-383.
  5. Sharathkumar AA, Shapiro AD. Platelet Function Disorders. 2nd ed. Montréal, Québec, Canada: World Federation of Hemophilia; 2008.
  6. Poon MC, Di Minno G, d’Oiron R, et al. New insights into the treatment of Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Transfus Med Rev. 2016;30(2):92-99.
  7. Di Minno G, Zotz RB, d’Oiron R, et al. The international, prospective Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Registry: treatment modalities and outcomes of non-surgical bleeding episodes in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Haematologica. 2015;100(8):1031-1037.