Successful treatment of prolonged Henoch-Schönlein purpura with colchicine

Colchicine in Managing Skin Conditions: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Colchicine is a natural alkaloid with anti-inflammatory properties used to treat various disorders, including some skin diseases. This paper aims to incorporate all the available studies proposing colchicine as a treatment alternative in the management of cutaneous conditions. (2) Methods: In this systematic review, the available articles present in various databases (PubMed, Scopus-Embase, and Web of Science), proposing colchicine as a treatment for cutaneous pathological conditions, have been selected. Exclusion criteria included a non-English language and non-human studies. (3) Results: Ninety-six studies were included. Most of them were case reports and case series studies describing colchicine as single therapy, or in combination with other drugs. Hidradenitis suppurativa, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum, erythema induratum, storage diseases, perforating dermatosis, bullous diseases, psoriasis, vasculitis, acne, urticaria, stomatitis, actinic keratosis, and pustular dermatosis were the main diseases discussed in literature. Although the therapeutic outcomes were variable, most of the studies reported, on average, good clinical results (4) Conclusions: Colchicine could be, as a single therapy or in combination with other drugs, a possible treatment to manage several skin diseases.

Successful Treatment of IgA Vasculitis With Prolonged Cutaneous Manifestation With Colchicine in a 10-Year-Old Boy

We report a 10-year-old boy with IgA vasculitis (IgAV) with prolonged cutaneous manifestations who was successfully treated with colchicine. At the age of 9, he was diagnosed as having IgAV by typical purpura, abdominal pain, and hematochezia. Initially, his severe gastrointestinal manifestation subsided by prednisolone 60 mg/day and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. However, his gastrointestinal manifestation was glucocorticoid-dependent and refractory to factor XIII concentrate, intravenous immunoglobulin G, and mycophenolate mofetil. His abdominal pain and hematochezia responded to the combination therapy with dapsone and low dose of prednisolone 5 mg/day and did not relapse even after discontinuation of dapsone. On the other hands, the effect of dapsone on his cutaneous manifestation was dose-dependent. As well dapsone had no glucocorticoid-sparing effect. Approximately 12 months after onset, colchicine treatment was started, which resulted in remission of his chronic cutaneous manifestation. After prednisolone was tapered off, his cutaneous manifestation is currently well-controlled on colchicine 0.5 mg/day without adverse events. He had never complicated by kidney involvements. In conclusion, colchicine treatment exerts a beneficial effect in IgAV patients with prolonged cutaneous manifestation refractory to multiple drugs.

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: Depiction of the Diagnostic Dilemma

Vasculitis is classified based on the size of the blood vessels involved. Sub-group Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) refers to small blood vessel inflammation, which involves cutaneous capillaries and venules. To date, there have been myriad primary and secondary probable causes of LCV. Here, we present a case of an 86-year-old male who presented with non-blanchable purpura involving the ankles, knees, and palms. The patient had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), for which he had been on long-term oxygen therapy and chronic corticosteroids. He was recently started on Bactrim DS (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole double strength) for prophylaxis of pneumocystis pneumonia. After a meticulous workup, including a skin biopsy, the causative agent of the LCV was established to be Bactrim DS, and the event was likely triggered by superimposed acute stress of sepsis secondary to UTI and bacteremia. There were several diagnostic dilemmas due to the ongoing chronic medical conditions; however, the occurrence of LCV while being on chronic corticosteroids was concerning as it should have prevented such an untoward occurrence. Eventually, the presentation subsided past an increase in the dose of corticosteroids and discontinuation of Bactrim DS. This raises concern regarding either the dose-dependent immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids or deficits in our current understanding of the mechanism of action. Additionally, it necessitates further exploration into the causes of LCV and a thorough understanding of its pathogenesis.

Intravenous γ Globulin for Intractable Abdominal Pain due to IgA Vasculitis

IgA vasculitis (formerly known as Henoch–Schönlein purpura or anaphylactoid purpura) is a usually benign vasculitis that affects children of school age. The disease is characterized by the tetrad of palpable purpura, arthralgia/arthritis, abdominal pain, and hematuria. Treatment of IgA vasculitis is mainly supportive, with administration of simple analgesics. Corticosteroids have been shown to reduce and/or ameliorate the occurrence of abdominal pain which may be severe. We present two children with IgA vasculitis and severe abdominal pain despite corticosteroid administration, who responded promptly to intravenous γ globulin (IVIg) with complete resolution of their symptoms and review of the relevant medical literature. Given the toxicity and/or need for long-term administration of other second-line immunosuppressive therapies in corticosteroid-resistant IgA vasculitis, such as rituximab, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or colchicine, we propose that IVIg may be a useful and safe treatment option, although randomized controlled clinical trials are needed in order to clarify its role in the treatment of abdominal pain in IgA vasculitis.

Adult-onset IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein): Update on therapy

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV, formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting small vessels. While it is common and usually benign in childhood, in adults it is rarer has a more severe course. Its main manifestations are cutaneous purpura, arthralgias or arthritis, acute enteritis and glomerulonephritis. Renal involvement is associated with a poor prognosis in adults. The treatment of adult-onset IgAV is still a matter of debate: although in patients with a non-severe phenotype remission can occur spontaneously, more severe cases may need immunosuppressive therapy. There are some areas of uncertainty with respect to the efficacy of immunosuppressive regimens: almost all data come from studies performed in children or from patients with IgA nephropathy and/or IgA-crescentic glomerulonephritis. The only randomised study performed in adults with IgAV and renal involvement showed that immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide did not improve renal outcome nor did it affect patient survival. The possible efficacy of other drugs is reported only in small case series. Recent evidences show that rituximab could be an effective therapeutic option for adult-onset IgAV, but this also needs to be confirmed in controlled trials. In this review, we focus on therapeutic options for adult-onset IgAV treatment, and discuss the main results of the studies performed so far.

Recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura without renal involvement successfully treated with methotrexate

Introduction

Henoch Schönlein purpura is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis/arthralgia, often with a self-limiting course. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura and severe gastrointestinal involvement, successfully treated with methotrexate.

Case presentation

A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our department with palpable purpura, abdominal pain and arthralgia. Since gastrointestinal complaints were severe, systemic steroids were administered, with tapering of dosage. Henoch Schönlein purpura recurred several times with severe abdominal pain, maelena and purpura during next two months. Colchicine and hydroxychloroquine were initiated. After four months, we also introduced methotrexate, which enabled discontinuation of previous medications including corticosteroids. Methotrexate was ceased four months later, and remission was sustained without any medications for 24 months.

Conclusion

Besides the conflicting data regarding the use of methotrexate in recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura, our case introduces successful methotrexate experience in a child with Henoch Schönlein purpura and recurrent severe gastrointestinal involvement.

Rituximab treatment for chronic steroid-dependent Henoch-Schonlein purpura: 8 cases and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis that is characterized by non-thrombocytopenic purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis, and glomerulonephritis. Typically, HSP is self-limited requiring only supportive care, but more severe cases may require corticosteroid (CS) treatment. Rarely, a subset of these patients has persistent rash, arthritis, abdominal involvement, or renal disease despite treatment with CS, or has disease recurrence on CS tapering. Refractory HSP has been effectively treated with a variety of CS sparing therapies. For life-threatening refractory HSP, the B cell depleting agent, rituximab (RTX), has been reported as beneficial for children with substantial renal or central nervous system involvement. However, RTX use for children with less severe HSP, but chronic CS dependent disease refractory to CS sparing immunomodulatory agents, has been less well explored. Herein, we describe 8 children treated with RTX for chronic refractory HSP and report a reduction in recurrent hospitalizations and eventual CS discontinuation.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of eight children who were treated with RTX for chronic CS dependent HSP during the years 2006-2014 at a single institution. A chart review of the electronic medical record was performed to determine the presenting symptoms, the type and duration of treatment received, and the number of hospitalizations prior to and after RTX. The number of hospitalizations and oral corticosteroid burden were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS

Prior to receiving RTX, seven patients had at least one hospitalization for HSP (median 1.5, range 0-3). Following RTX, only two patients were hospitalized, each a single time for recurrent abdominal pain. The median oral CS burden was 0.345 mg/kg/day before RTX and 0 mg/kg/day at 6 months (p = 0.078), 1 year (p = 0.0625), and 2 years (p = 0.03) following RTX infusion. Seven out of eight children met remission criteria, defined as no active rash, arthritis, nephritis (hematuria and proteinuria), or gastrointestinal distress following RTX. No serious adverse events were noted.

CONCLUSION

Overall, RTX effectively reduced the number of hospital admissions and oral CS burden. RTX also helped most all children achieve clinical remission. RTX appears to be an effective and safe alternative for chronic CS dependent and immunomodulatory refractory childhood HSP.

Azathioprine therapy for steroid-resistant Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a report of 6 cases

BACKGROUND

A small percentage of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) develop a chronic form of the disease that often requires prolonged corticosteroid therapy. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic agents (DMARDs) or biologics have been successfully used to treat those refractory cases. Azathioprine is a DMARD that has been reported to be effective in HSP nephritis and in adult cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, a condition with cutaneous histology similar to HSP.

CASE PRESENTATION

A description of 6 cases with relapsing HSP without significant renal involvement, treated with azathioprine are reported. All 6 cases met the classification criteria for the diagnosis of HSP, had relapsing symptoms despite corticosteroid use, were successfully treated with azathioprine and were tapered off of corticosteroids. The duration of azathioprine therapy ranged from 7-21 months and no adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Azathioprine is effective in controlling prolonged relapsing symptoms of HSP, allowing earlier discontinuation of corticosteroids. This report shows that azathioprine can be included in the therapeutic options for relapsing HSP and is the first case series in the literature of azathioprine use in HSP without significant renal involvement.

Efficacy of colchicine in a child with relapsing bullous Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Colchicine is not usually considered a treatment option for cutaneous lesions of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in children. We report a case of pediatric HSP with severe chronic and relapsing cutaneous manifestations that were resistant to corticosteroids. Colchicine had remarkable therapeutic efficacy, with positive dechallenge and rechallenge, without any adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Colchicine should be considered for chronic, severe cutaneous lesions of pediatric HSP.

WHAT IS KNOWN

Colchicine is not usually considered a treatment option for cutaneous lesions of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in children. What is New: We report a case of pediatric HSP with severe cutaneous manifestations that responded well to colchicine. Colchicine should be considered for chronic cutaneous lesions of HSP in children.

Colchicine: old and new

Although colchicine has been a focus of research, debate, and controversy for thousands of years, the US Food and Drug Administration just approved it in 2009. Over the past decade, advances in the knowledge of colchicine pharmacology, drug safety, and mechanisms of action have led to changes in colchicine dosing and to potential new uses for this very old drug. In this review, we discuss the pharmacologic properties of colchicine and summarize what is currently known about its mechanisms of action. We then discuss and update the use of colchicine in a variety of illnesses, including rheumatic and, most recently, cardiovascular diseases.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on recent advances in the genetic susceptibility, pathogenesis and treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has advanced our understanding of the genetic susceptibility and pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, but there are still significant gaps in our knowledge. Information concerning the most effective treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura has begun to emerge. Corticosteroid therapy reduces the duration and severity of abdominal and joint pain, but corticosteroids do not prevent the development of nephritis, or alter the natural history of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The most effective treatment for severe nephritis remains unclear despite multiple, mostly retrospective reports investigating a variety of drugs.

SUMMARY

Despite recent progress, our understanding of the genetic susceptibility, pathogenesis and treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura remains incomplete. Further research is necessary in order to clearly define the genetic susceptibility and the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Multicenter clinical trials are needed to determine the most effective treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, particularly for patients with severe nephritis.

Henoch-schonlein purpura-a case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of an adolescent male with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), presenting with cutaneous and gastrointestinal manifestations. Endoscopy revealed diffuse ulcerations in the stomach, duodenum, and right colon. Biopsies revealed a leukocytoclastic vasculitis in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Steroid therapy led to complete resolution of the symptoms. HSP is the most common childhood vasculitis, and is characterized by the classic tetrad of nonthrombocytopenic palpable purpura, arthritis or arthralgias, gastrointestinal and renal involvement. It is a systemic disease where antigen-antibody (IgA) complexes activate the alternate complement pathway, resulting in inflammation and small vessel vasculitis. Mild disease resolves spontaneously, and symptomatic treatment alone is sufficient. Systemic steroids are recommended for moderate to severe HSP. The prognosis depends upon the extent of renal involvement, which requires close followup. Early recognition of multiorgan involvement, especially outside of the typical age group, as in our adolescent patient, and appropriate intervention can mitigate the disease and limit organ damage.