title: [Clinical and prognostic value of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract in systemic vascular purpura].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical peculiarities and prognostic value of abdominal syndrome in adult patients with systemic vascular purpura (SVP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Incidence, clinical picture, complications of abdominal syndrome, its relations with principal extraintestinal manifestations of SVP were studied in 125 SVP patients. Absorption and barrier functions of the small intestine, their correlations with clinical activity of the disease were investigated in 32 SVP patients with no clinical signs of intestinal affection. Computer-assisted morphometry of duodenal mucosa biopsies was conducted and the results were compared to those of intestinal permiability and clinical activity of SVP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative correlation was found between the occurrence of abdominal syndrome and the patients' age. The gastrointestinal tract suffered more frequently in men. 21% patients had abdominal complications, association of abdominal syndrome with higher frequency of glomerulonephritis. In the absence of abdominal symptoms, the barrier function of the small intestine for protein macromolecules was impaired. This correlated with exacerbations of skin purpura. Increased intestinal permeability and activity of skin purpura correlated with severity of inflammation in the duodenal mucosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal syndrome in SVP is an unfavourable prognostic factor indicating possible severe complications and high risk of glomerulonephritis. Subclinical intestinal involvement presenting as barrier dysfunction may contribute to aggravation of skin vasculitis.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mukhin
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Guliaev
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Krivosheev
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Semenkova
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kogan
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Okhotnikhova
authors.forename: V Ia
authors.initials: VIa
authors.lastname: Zavodnov
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Gmoshinskiĭ
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Mazo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bjarnason
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011693:Purpura / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology