Julia Roberts’ 2 Decades Long Battle With Thrombocytopenic Purpura: All We Know About the Rare Disease of Hollywood’s Pretty Woman

Acclaimed Hollywood actress and producer Julia Roberts is famous for her stunning smile and impactful acting. Known for movies like Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Notting Hill, the Oscar-winning actress has charmed audiences all over the world. But behind the smile, the actress didn’t let the world know that she was struggling with a major health issue.

For almost two decades, Roberts has been dealing with a condition known as Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura which is a blood disorder. Though she rarely speaks about it, her strength and ability to perform on screen are evidence that the disease has not had a hold on her. Let’s take a look at what the disorder is all about.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Its Types

Platelets in the blood are used to repair any strain or cut in blood vessels, and when they get used up, those cuts can’t be repaired properly, which results in bruises, blood clots, and bleeding. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a condition where such blood clots are formed in small areas within the body. 

TTP also causes rapid breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs), which might lead to anemia. There are two types of TTP: inherited and acquired. Inherited TTP is passed from parents to children, and Acquired TTP is more common, caused by some deficiency or condition. 

Symptoms and Causes of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Symptoms of TTP include extreme fatigue, jaundice, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, bruising, and the appearance of small red or purple spots under the skin caused by internal bleeding. In extreme cases, the patient may even get strokes, seizures, or experience organ failure.

Inherited TTP is caused by a genetic mutation in the ADAMTS13 gene, and Acquired TTP is caused when the body creates antibodies that block the production of the ADAMTS13 enzyme responsible for blood clot control. 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Diagnosis of TTP can include a number of steps, from enquiring about the patient’s family history to a number of tests. One important diagnostic tool is ADAMTS13 assay which analyzes the lack of activity of the enzyme. Other tests often include complete blood count, kidney function tests, bone marrow tests, and bilirubin tests to check the breakdown of RBCs.

In mild cases, medicines like corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are used. Treatment of serious cases of TTP requires immediate hospitalization where plasma treatments like therapeutic plasma exchange and plasma infusion are done. These are done until the symptoms improve.

In a more serious condition, surgery is done to remove the patient’s spleen, which basically stops the production of antibodies that block ADAMTS13 enzyme production.

Who Are Vulnerable to Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura?

TTP mostly targets adults between 20 and 50 years old. Apart from them, pregnant women and people with some autoimmune diseases and diseases like HIV that can lead to autoimmune conditions are more vulnerable to TTP.

TTP also affects women more than men. People who went through treatments like chemotherapy and hormone therapy and who took certain medicines that contain ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and cyclosporine A are also more at risk.

Julia Roberts’ Family History and Health Concerns

Julia Roberts has a family history of cancer. Her father passed away due to throat cancer, and her mother passed away due to lung cancer. Roberts herself has been rumored to suffer from throat cancer, but so far there has been no confirmation.

Despite all these personal tragedies and serious health battles, Roberts is still gracing our screen with her performances and smile. Although she is known as a Hollywood icon, her strength and perseverance make her a real-life icon too.