Abstract
In order to determine the indications for administering human blood-coagulation factor XIII fraction (factor XIII concentrate) to patients with Schönlein-Henoch purpura, the clinical effect of factor XIII concentrate therapy (F therapy) was compared with that of steroid therapy (S therapy). Clinical symptoms were impoved immediately in eight of 10 patients receiving F therapy. The levels of factor XIII increased to the normal range or above in all patients in the F therapy group. All 10 cases in the S therapy group showed improvement after 3 days of administration. However, two patients had prolonged symptoms and 4 patients relapsed. As for the abdominal symptoms, 6 patients in the F therapy group improved, but 2 patients needed further steroid administration. Two patients coutinued to have tarry stool and one had relapse of abdominal pain in S therapy group. The duration of hospitalization and the complication rate with purpura nephritis were not different between the two therapy groups. It is considered that the F therapy required a shorter term than S therapy and was effective for relief abdominal symptoms in patients with Schonlein-Henoch purpura. In patients with moderate or severe abdominal symptoms and low levels of factor XIII (<90%), factor XIII concentrate therapy may be indicated.
