SCHONLEIN-HENOCH SYNDROME IN ADULTS

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (217) , 145-152
Abstract
Nine adult patients, aged from 16-70 yr (mean 42 yr), with Schoenlein-Henoch syndrome were studied during the acute stage of their illness. Each presented with the typical purpuric skin rash, and renal disease was found in every case. Microscopic hematuria and proteinuria were consistently found and red cell casts were seen in urine from 5 patients. Kidney biopsy performed on 9 patients showed focal glomerulonephritis in 7 cases and diffuse proliferative nephritis in 2. The finding of mesangial deposits of IgA in 7 of 8 patients is in agreement with recent reports suggesting that the syndrome is an immune complex disorder. The diffuse proliferative lesion was accompanied by loss of renal function, but there were no fatalities in this series. Corticosteroids administered during the acute stage appear to ameliorate the symptoms, especially the arthralgia and abdominal pain, and may prevent progression of the renal disease in some cases.