[Rofecoxib-related cutaneous vasculitis].
BACKGROUND
Drugs are at the origin of around 10% of the cases of vasculitis involving the small vessels. Recent cases report vasculitis related to the administration of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase 2.


METHODS
Vasculitis associated with ketoprofen appeared in a 76 year-old man: the symptoms disappeared when treatment stopped. A few weeks later, during treatment with rofecoxib, a relapse appeared, including purpura. The diagnosis of rofecoxib-induced cutaneous vasculitis was confirmed by regression of all symptoms when treatment stopped.


CONCLUSIONS
Coxibs, like other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, may cause vasculitis, at an as-yet undetermined frequency.
Defuentes
Gilles
G
Clinique médicale, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées du Val de Grâce, Paris. gildef@club-internet.fr
Lecoules
Stéphane
S
Coutant
Gilles
G
Algayres
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011693:Purpura / Q000139:chemically induced; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib