Localized scleroderma and idiopathic thrombocytopenia.
Two patients with localized scleroderma who developed thrombocytopenic purpura are reported. In both patients the thrombocytopenia improved after prednisone therapy, and has not recurred in 5 and 8 yr of subsequent observation without steroids. Both patients had a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test and 1 had a positive assay for immune complexes by the Clq solid phase radioimmunoassay. Non-immune causes for the lowered platelets were not found. This possible association may add a new, potentially life-threatening dimension to localized scleroderma.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D011241:Prednisone