Abstract Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is relatively rare. We describe five cases of RA with ITP. In all five patients, platelet counts were low, platelet-associated IgG levels were elevated, and bone marrow aspiration showed megakaryocytosis. Glucocorticoid therapy was effective in three cases, but the other two cases required immunosuppressants or intravenous %-globulin in addition to glucocorticoid. We review the reported cases of RA with ITP and discuss the pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia in RA.
