A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Associated with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Abstract

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is rarely associated with other autoimmune diseases. We experienced a case of HSP that was associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 65-year old male patient complained of fever, purpura, generalized edema and arthralgia. He was diagnosed with HSP and his condition was improved with high-dose corticosteroid treatment. In 12 weeks, the symptoms of HSP were improving, however a thrombocytopenia developed. There was no reasonable cause for thrombocytopenia on the evaluation. He was diagnosed with ITP after bone marrow biopsy. Due to the refractory thrombocytopenia, which didn’t respond to other medical treatments, we then performed splenectomy and the patient showed a good response. We report here on the first case of HSP and ITP, and we include a review of the related literature.