Prevalence, Risk Factors, Characteristics, and Clinical Outcomes of Thrombocytopenia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic abnormality in the intensive care unit (ICU), affecting approximately 50% of patients. It is associated with increased mortality and bleeding risk. Despite its clinical significance, epidemiological studies on ICU-related thrombocytopenia in Gulf Cooperation Council countries remain limited. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, characteristics, and clinical outcomes of thrombocytopenia in the ICU. We included ICU patients admitted for ≥ 24 h, excluding pregnant women and individuals under 18. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count < 150 × 10 Results: The study enrolled 276 patients; 38.8% had thrombocytopenia, including 23.4% with severe thrombocytopenia. The incidence of new-onset thrombocytopenia was 22.5%. DIT was suspected in 15% of cases, including five patients with potential HIT. Shock diagnosis was a significant predictor of new-onset thrombocytopenia (adjusted risk ratio = 2.26, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-3.79). Thrombocytopenic patients had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV scores ( Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is prevalent in the ICU, correlating to disease severity, major bleeding, and mortality. The study's findings underscore the need for timely recognition and effective management of thrombocytopenia to improve patient outcomes.