Gastrointestinal manifestations of IgA vasculitis guiding treatment in an adult patient.
Bradley Loudon, Michael Joubert, David Owen-Conway et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A man in his 20s presented with abdominal pain, post-prandial vomiting, a purpuric rash, arthralgia, and hypertension. Urine studies indicated subnephrotic range proteinuria, and colonoscopy revealed ileal ulceration. Biopsies confirmed IgA vasculitis (IgAV) through perivascular IgA deposition. Despite no renal treatment need, severe gastrointestinal symptoms led to a 6-week course of oral prednisone, resulting in symptom resolution and normalization of renal function and liver enzymes.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider IgA vasculitis in adults presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms, as its manifestations can be atypical and may require immunosuppressive treatment even in the absence of significant renal involvement.