Science Letters

Recent Advances in the Treatment of Henoch-Sch�nlein Purpura

Asfia Banu Pasha 1, Zhou Guo Ping 2*

1 Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China

2 Department of Pediatrics, Hexi Hospital for Women and Children, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Abstract

Henoch-Sch�nlein Purpura (HSP) is a self-limited benign disease, which is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Clinically, it presents with abdomen pain, joint pain and palpable rashes mainly in the lower limbs and buttocks. As the disease progresses, it affects the renal system causing hematuria and proteinuria. Pathophysiologically, there is deposition of IgA and C3 complement complexes. Diagnosis of HSP is made by investigations such as ESR, CRP, urine analysis and microscopy, serum electrolytes and creatinine, blood urea and urine protein creatinine ratio. The renal biopsy is also done in cases with severe renal involvement. The HSP is treated with corticosteroid therapy conventionally along with symptomatic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the joint pain and abdominal pain. With the advancements in the treatment, recently advanced therapy is being studied and tried in order not only to treat the HSP but also to induce long-term remission, and prevent recurrences. With the many adverse effects of steroid therapy, other drugs which have a direct effect on the pathophysiology of the illness have proved to be effective in the treatment of HSP as well as in maintaining remission. Dapsone, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil, Rituximab, Plasmapheresis are few of the drugs which have been effectively used in complicated cases of HSP. The recent advances in the treatment of HSP have been helpful in preventing the side effects caused by the conventional steroid therapy, steroid dependency and recurrences.