ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of combined immunosuppressant therapy for patients with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) and its effects on platelete-associated antibody (PAIG) level. MethodsBetween February 2009 and February 2013, 22 patients with refractory ITP were randomly divided into immunosuppressive drugs combination treatment group and single drug treatment group. The combination treatment group was treated with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and after the fast increasing of platelet count, combined chemotherapy consisting of two or three kinds of immunosuppressive agents was adopted. The single treatment group was also treated with methylprednisolone and IVIG, but took only one immunosuppressive agent after the fast increasing of platelet count. The treatment maintained for 3 to 6 months. The duration of follow-up was 6-36 months. We used flow cytometry to detect PAIG of the patients. ResultsThe total effective rate of combination treatment group was 81.8%, significantly higher than that of the single treatment group (36.4%) (P<0.05). PAIG decreased obviously in both the two groups, and the PAIG level of the combination treatment group was much lower than that of the single treatment group (P<0.05). ConclusionImmunosuppresant combination chemotherapy is a powerful approach for patients with refractory ITP, and it can decrease patient's PAIG level simultaneously.