Patterns of Vasculitis in Dermatological Practice

Abstract

Background: Vasculitis is a rare disorder with a wide range of systemic and cutaneous manifestations. This study was aimed to identify the clinico-demographic characteristics of different patterns of vasculitis and determine their frequency in dermatological practice.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 cases of vasculitis diagnosed on the basis of clinical, histological, and laboratory parameters from January 2017 to December 2022 in the Department of Dermatology, BSMMU. Specific causes, types, and patterns of systemic and cutaneous manifestations were recorded and analyzed.

Results: The seven diagnoses of vasculitis were cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV) (41.7%), polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) (14.6%), IgA vasculitis (IgAV) (12.5%), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (12.5%), livedoid vasculopathy (8.3%), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (6.3%), and urticarial vasculitis (4.2%). Cutaneous findings included palpable purpura, urticaria subcutaneous nodule, livedo reticularis, erythematous plaque, hemorrhagic vesicle, and ulcer. Extracutaneous findings included fever, fatigue, weight loss, arthralgia, myalgia, abdominal pain, bloody stool, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, sinusitis, nasal discharge, and hearing loss.

Conclusion: The current study would be very helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with vasculitis having various cutaneous presentations, considering the future possibilities of other systemic involvement.

Keywords: Cutaneous small vessel vasculitis, Polyarteritis nodosa, IgA vasculitis, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.