Monitor Adults Who Had Childhood Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a vasculitic syndrome that is more common in children than in adults. It is characterized by palpable purpura, polyarthritis, gastrointestinal involvement that manifests as colicky pain or hemorrhage, and nephritis. All 4 features may not be present, and the disease severity is variable. Usually, HSP is considered to be a self-limiting disorder, and patients may or may not receive treatment (usually, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, or both). However, it has been suggested that affected children may have residual evidence of the disease process as adults -- particularly women. The authors of this study report the status of 52 adults who had childhood HSP (between 1964 and 1983) and who responded t…