Vol 7, No 1 (2021)
Review paper
Published online: 2021-03-17
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Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome — clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Magdalena Żychowska1
·
Forum Dermatologicum 2021;7(1):4-7.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University

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Vol 7, No 1 (2021)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Published online: 2021-03-17

Abstract

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HVUS) belongs to the group of systemic small-vessel vasculitis and is characterized by persistent urticarial lesions lasting more than 24 hours, hypocomplementemia and frequent coexistence of organ involvement. Lungs, kidneys, joints, gastrointestinal tract, eyes and central nervous system may be involved in the course of the condition. The diagnosis of HUVS is based on the diagnostic criteria – fulfilment of both major criteria (the presence of chronic urticarial lesions with hypocomplementemia) and at least two minor criteria. HUVS may be associated with other systemic conditions. The diagnosis of the syndrome may also precede the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in both the paediatric and adult populations. Due to the rarity of the disease, no randomized clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness of individual therapeutic options, and recommendations for the management of HUVS are based on case reports. Glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) are most commonly used as monotherapy or in combination with cyclosporine A, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil. In the paper, the clinical picture, recommended diagnostics and therapeutic options for HUVS are discussed. 

Abstract

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HVUS) belongs to the group of systemic small-vessel vasculitis and is characterized by persistent urticarial lesions lasting more than 24 hours, hypocomplementemia and frequent coexistence of organ involvement. Lungs, kidneys, joints, gastrointestinal tract, eyes and central nervous system may be involved in the course of the condition. The diagnosis of HUVS is based on the diagnostic criteria – fulfilment of both major criteria (the presence of chronic urticarial lesions with hypocomplementemia) and at least two minor criteria. HUVS may be associated with other systemic conditions. The diagnosis of the syndrome may also precede the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in both the paediatric and adult populations. Due to the rarity of the disease, no randomized clinical trials are assessing the effectiveness of individual therapeutic options, and recommendations for the management of HUVS are based on case reports. Glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) are most commonly used as monotherapy or in combination with cyclosporine A, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil. In the paper, the clinical picture, recommended diagnostics and therapeutic options for HUVS are discussed. 

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Keywords

urticarial vasculitis; small-vessel vasculitis; HUVS; hypocomplementemia; anti-C1q

About this article
Title

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome — clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Journal

Forum Dermatologicum

Issue

Vol 7, No 1 (2021)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

4-7

Published online

2021-03-17

Page views

580

Article views/downloads

56

DOI

10.5603/FD.a2021.0002

Bibliographic record

Forum Dermatologicum 2021;7(1):4-7.

Keywords

urticarial vasculitis
small-vessel vasculitis
HUVS
hypocomplementemia
anti-C1q

Authors

Magdalena Żychowska

References (17)
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