IgA Vasculitis - Vasculitis Foundation (2023)

IgA vasculitis, formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is a form of vasculitis—a family of rare disorders characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissues. IgA (immunoglobulin A) vasculitis causes inflammation and bleeding of the small blood vessels of the skin, joints, intestines and kidneys. Rarely, it can affect the lungs and central nervous system. It is the most common form of vasculitis in children.

IgA vasculitis is systemic, meaning it can affect all organ systems in the body. The most characteristic symptom is a raised, purplish skin rash that resembles bruises, mostly affecting the legs and buttocks. Other common symptoms or signs of organ involvement include abdominal pain, joint pain and swelling, and kidney inflammation.

When IgA vasculitis occurs in children younger than 16 years old, it is considered self-limiting because most patients recover on their own within one to two months, without treatment. Adults may have more severe and relapsing disease requiring immunosuppressive treatment. If the kidneys and intestines are affected, medical treatment is often needed, and ongoing medical follow-up is necessary.

The exact cause of IgA vasculitis is not fully understood by researchers. Vasculitis is classified as an autoimmune disorder, a disease which occurs when the body’s natural defense system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In IgA vasculitis, the immunoglobulin A antibody—a type of antibody that works to fight infections—is thought to play a role in blood vessel inflammation.

Studies show that 75 percent of people with IgA vasculitis develop the disease after an upper respiratory or gastrointestinal (GI) infection. Other possible triggers for IgA vasculitis include certain medicines, food reactions, insect bites, some vaccinations and, rarely, cancer. Although IgA vasculitis is seen throughout the year, there is an increase in cases during the fall and winter months. It is not considered contagious.

IgA vasculitis can affect people of any age, but 90 percent of patients are children aged 3 to 10 years. It is more common in boys than in girls. Adults tend to have more severe disease than children, and therefore may be treated more aggressively.

The prevalence of IgA vasculitis in the United States is approximately 14 cases per 100,000 population. In the United Kingdom, the estimated annual incidence is 20.4 cases per 100,000 population.

Patients with IgA vasculitis may experience several weeks of headache, fever and muscle aches before the primary symptoms set in.

• Rash: A raised, reddish-purple rash called purpura is the characteristic symptom that helps doctors diagnose the disease. Lesions develop primarily on the buttocks, legs and feet, but can also affect the elbows, arms, and trunk.
• Arthritis: Painful swollen joints, especially affecting the knees and ankles. The arthritis generally goes away on its own without causing permanent joint damage.
• GI problems: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or bloody stools, which can occur before the rash.
• Kidney inflammation: Blood or protein in the urine, detected in urinalysis test. Kidney inflammation usually dissipates as IgA vasculitis resolves, with most patients recovering completely. However, in some cases, IgA vasculitis can cause kidney damage/failure, and dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed.

There is no single test for diagnosing IgA vasculitis. Your doctor will consider a number of factors, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and specialized imaging studies. A skin biopsy is frequently needed to help diagnose IgA vasculitis.

Laboratory tests: Blood tests and urinalyses can help rule out other diseases and detect signs of infection, anemia or kidney disease.
Imaging studies: These may include ultrasound (abdominal, scrotal/testicular); X-rays (chest, abdomen, small intestine); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess for neurological complications; and/or computed tomography (CT) scans of the head or abdomen.
Biopsy: This surgical procedure removes a small tissue sample from an affected organ, which is examined under a microscope for signs of inflammation or tissue damage. In IgA, a skin biopsy typically shows vasculitis with deposits of immunoglobulin A. A kidney biopsy is sometimes necessary.

Symptoms of IgA vasculitis typically last one to two months, and most patients recover on their own without treatment. Therefore, treatment is usually aimed at relieving minor symptoms until they dissipate. The following medications may be prescribed:

• Antibiotics (if an infection is suspected to be causing the IgA vasculitis)
• Over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen
• Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, for joint pain and swelling
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone for severe stomach pain or kidney disease. (Steroids are prescribed cautiously due to potentially serious side effects, and should be avoided in children.)

In cases where the kidneys are affected or damaged, patients may require medications that suppress the immune system.

Effective treatment of IgA vasculitis may require the coordinated efforts and ongoing care of a team of medical providers and specialists. In addition to a primary care provider, IgA patients may need to see the following specialists: dermatologist (skin); gastroenterologist (digestive system); rheumatologist (joints, muscles, immune system); nephrologist (kidneys); or others as needed.

The best way to manage your disease is to actively partner with your health care providers. Get to know the members of your health care team. It may be helpful to keep a health care journal to track medications, symptoms, test results and notes from doctor appointments in one place. To get the most out of your doctor visits, make a list of questions beforehand and bring along a supportive friend or family member to provide a second set of ears and take notes.

Remember, it’s up to you to be your own advocate. If you have concerns with your treatment plan, speak up. Your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage or offer different treatment options. It is always your right to seek a second opinion.