title: [Vasculitic urticaria: study of 12 cases].
abstract: Twelve cases of chronic urticaria with histopathologic features of lecocitoclastic allergic angitis are studied. The type of cutaneous lesion, personal and familiar atopic history and the presence of autoimmune disease are described. Light microscopy, direct immunofluorescence, anti DNA, antinuclear, antithyroid, Ro, La, Rnp and Sm antibodies, total complement levels, C3 and C4, rheumatoid factor, latex, ASTO, cryoglobulines and complete workup were investigated, taking into account natural progression and response to therapy. Two different groups are defined: 1) normocomplementemic (5 patients) and 2) hypocomplementemic (7 patients). They were all women except one. The cutaneous lesions were indistinguishable in the two groups. Only in the second group there was an associated disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome disease, lupus-Sjogren overlap, autoimmune thyroid disease). Urticaria had been present from the onset of the disease in 4 patients, and occurred later during its course in 8 others. Five patients had thyroid disease (Hashimoto thyroiditis or Graves disease), two of them being mother and daughter. Another patient had a family history of Grave's disease and urticaria. Anti DNA antibodies were found in 7 cases, and anti Ro + La + in 3 cases. Response to treatment was variable with spontaneous cycles of worsening and remissions. One of the patients found a relationship with certain foods. Histopathologic results are related in both clinical normocomplementemic and hypocomplementemic groups. No significant differences were found between the two groups, but Ro+ and La+ patients exhibit more intense cariorexis and neutrophilic infiltrates.
authors: Cátedra de Dermatología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Hospital General de Agudos, José María Ramos Mejía, Argentina
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Hassan
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Perez Cejudo
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Yachi del Pino
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Schroh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014581:Urticaria / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
vernacular_title: Urticaria vasculítica: estudio de 12 casos.