ABSTRACT

Leukoclastic vasculitis is an inflammatory disease of the small vessels which frequently presents with skin and joint signs. The aim of the present study is to determine the clinical and demographical characteristics of the patients diagnosed as leukocytoclastic vasculitis in our clinic.

Patients diagnosed to have leukocytoclastic vasculitis in our clinic between 2000 and 2009 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients as well as localization and type of the cutaneous lesions, etiology, symptoms, presence of extracutaneous symptoms, histopathological evaluation and treatment options, were retrospectively evaluated.

Median age of the 60 patients (36 female, 24 male) was 44 years. Pruritus (25%, n=15) and pain (18.3%, n=11) were the most frequent symptoms. Cutaneous lesions were most frequently localized in the lower extremity and usually presented as palpable pruritic papules and plaques. The most frequent etiologic factor was drugs (25%, n=15). Systemic corticosteroids were the most frequently used therapy of choice (38%, n=23).

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a benign self limited disease which is frequently triggered by drugs. The most frequent clinical form is palpable pruritic papules or plaques localized in the lower extremity. Defining the etiologic cause is an important step to therapy, while systemic corticosteroid is an effective therapeutic choice. (Turk J Dermatol 2011; 5: 85-91)