title: Fatal Henoch-Schonlein purpura in an adult related to bowel perforation: report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an idiopathic, IgA associated, systemic small-vessel vasculitis characterized by the clinical tetrad of palpable purpura, arthralgias, renal dysfunction, and abdominal pain. Whereas Henoch-Schonlein is an overwhelmingly pediatric disease, its rare diagnosis in adults carries a much higher morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a 52-year-old man with biopsy proven Henoch-Schonlein who expired from bowel perforation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe gastrointestinal complications and death from gastrointestinal involvement by Henoch-Schonlein purpura is rare. The authors surmise that multiple co-morbidities may have contributed to our patient's demise.
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Una
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Miniter
authors.forename: Yoon-Soo Cindy
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Bae-Harboe
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Shannon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Lynne J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Goldberg
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology