General approach to IgA vasculitis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of vasculitis associated with immunoglobulin A (VIgA). Bibliographic review: VIgA, formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, is an immune complex vasculitis that mainly affects small vessels and presents itself acutely. It is the most common form of childhood vasculitis, with an incidence of 3 to 27 cases per 100,000 children, and is characterized by the classic tetrad of palpable purpura, arthritis or arthralgia, hematuria, and abdominal pain. The most frequent acute complications of VIgA are those related to the gastrointestinal system, including bleeding, intussusception and intestinal perforation as the most serious. The most serious chronic complication is IgA nephropathy. Final considerations: IgA vasculitis is a non-thrombocytopenic vasculitis of small vessels that presents acutely, characterized by the deposition of IgA. A history of upper respiratory tract infection or exposure to antigens from certain foods, insects, drugs, or vaccines can usually be found before the onset of illness. This is a normally benign vasculitis, whose treatment involves symptomatic patients and rest, requiring the administration of corticoids only in the most severe or refractory forms.