A Retrospective Analysis of Inflammatory Factors in Adult Patients With Cutaneous Vasculitis

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous vasculitis is defined as the inflammation of blood vessels of the dermis. However cutaneous vasculitis is not a specific disease but a manifestation that can be seen in a variety of settings. We sought to review the clinical manifestations, laboratorial findings, pathological changes and etiologic association of cutaneous vasculitis in patients admitted to Dermatology Department of Razi Hospital from 1998 to 2011. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled all patients with records of histological diagnosis of vasculitis between 1998 and 2011 in Razi Hospital. Clinical presentation and inflammatory factors were evaluated, too.Results: We studied 56 patients with cutaneous vasculitis. 35 (62.5%) patients were female and 20 (37.5%) were male. About 75% of patients had hypersensitivity vasculitis, 10.6% Henoch-Schonlein purpura, 9% urticarial vasculitis, and 5.4% polyarteritis nodosa.Conclusion: It seems that hypersensitivity vasculitis is the most common form of cutaneous vasculitis. The main clinical manifestations of hypersensitivity vasculitis are skin and joint symptoms.