Background : Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) preferentially affects children, but may rarely occur in adult, therefore, there are few reports about their endoscopic findings. Thus, we investigate endoscopic features in HSP patients.
Methods : Descriptive study was carried out in the department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital during the period from January 2001 to January 2016. Seven patients who were subjected to endoscopy were included in the study.
Results : A total of 7 patients ; 2 females, and 5 males. Mean age is 51.4 years old (27-73 years old.) Clinical features : purpura (100%) , stomach pain (86%) , nephropathy (71%) , arthralgia (57%) , and hematochezia (43%) . Location of lesions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract : small intestine including duodenum (100%) , large colon (57%) , stomach (17%) , esophagus (0%) . Endoscopic findings : mucosal edema (100%) , erosion/ulcer (87%) , hemorrhage (43%) , submucosal hemorrhage (87%) . Pathological findings : granulocyte recruitment (100%) , leukocytoclastic vasculitis (0%) , IgA deposition (0%) .
Conclusion : All GI tracts can be affected in the patients with HSP, therefore, we need detailed survey of endoscopic examinations, which, in turn, would contribute to early diagnosis of it.
