A case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in the elderly: not just a 'second childhood'.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a small vessel-vasculitis that usually affects children and adolescents; its onset in adults is uncommon.We describe a case of HSP complicated with nephritis and extensive deep vein thrombosis in an 81-year-old Caucasian woman, successfully treated with oral corticosteroids. Even at the extremes of age, HSP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, with a particular attention to renal involvement, because of its potential morbidity and mortality in the elderly; in addition, ruling out an occult thrombotic event in course of HSP is mandatory, especially in the presence of additional thrombotic risk factors.
Department of Clinical Medicine and Rheumatology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy. soriano.alessandra@gmail.com
Alessandra
A
Soriano
Giovanni
G
Galati
Umberto
U
Vespasiani-Gentilucci
Paolo
P
Gallo
Antonio
A
de Vincentis
Antonio
A
Picardi
Antonella
A
Afeltra
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013927:Thrombosis; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin