Research Offers Insight into Diagnosis, Treatment of Small-Vessel Vasculitis

Although not common, some systemic diseases may cause secondary vasculitis, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and dermatomyositis.

IgA vasculitis can be either primary or secondary, seems to be linked to infection and predominantly affects small vessels of the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, she said. Often, patients have skin purpura and joint arthralgia.

“It’s the most common vasculitis in childhood, but it is rare in adults,” said Dr. Villa-Forte. “In children, it seems to have a seasonal pattern, more common in fall and winter, so it’s been linked to upper respiratory infections.” Adults with IgA vasculitis have worse renal outcomes, and the disease doesn’t seem to spontaneously remit as often as it does in children, she said.

Susan Bernstein is a freelance journalist based in Atlanta.

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