Abstract
Background and Objectives: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) vary in different geographical areas. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and long term outcome of HSP in our institution.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, medical records of 75 patients with diagnosis of HSP admitted to Tabriz Children’s Hospital during 2001-2007 were reviewed. The studied variables included demographic and clinical features, recurrence rate and long term outcome.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 6.81±3.06 years. The male to female ratio was 2.5 /1. Purpura was detected in all the patients. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were found in 73.3%, arthritis in 65.3% and renal involvement in 34.6% of the patients. Fourteen patients (18.6%) had GI bleeding. Nephritic and/or nephrotic syndrome was detected in 16 patients (21.3%) and 9 patients (12%) underwent renal biopsy. Patients were followed for 23.85±15.21 months. Three patients (4%) developed chronic kidney disease in long term follow-up. Recurrence was detected in 9 patients (12%). There was no significant correlation between sex, recurrence rate and clinical symptoms (renal and intestinal involvement and arthritis). Frequency of the renal involvement was significantly higher in children older than 8 years old (P=0.02).
Conclusion: Distribution of age, sex, frequency of clinical symptoms and recurrence rate in our institution is similar to other studies. But the frequency of chronic kidney disease in our study is higher than that reported in the literature. This may be explained by longer follow up and performance of study on admitted patients in a referral center.