Clinical characteristics and risk factors of IgA vasculitis with intussusception and intestinal perforation

Intussusception is the most common surgical complication of IgA vasculitis (IgAV), and intestinal perforation is usually associated with intussusception. If they are not recognised and treated in a timely manner, serious consequences may occur. The objective is to summarise the clinical features of IgAV complicated by intussusception and intestinal perforation and explore its risk factors.

The clinical data of 32 patients with IgAV complicated by surgical complications (25 cases of intussusception and 7 cases of intestinal perforation) were retrospectively analysed. A total of 160 IgAV children with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement but without surgical complications were randomly selected as a control group. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation.

Compared with the intussusception group, the intestinal perforation group had a significantly higher number of patients with GI symptoms prior to skin purpura and GI bleeding, a significantly higher number of days of abdominal pain, a significantly higher Wong-Baker score, and a significantly higher white blood cell count. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≤7 years, GI symptoms prior to skin purpura, abdominal pain intensity (Wong-Baker scale) and timing of glucocorticoid treatment were independent risk factors of IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation.

Age less than 7 years, severe abdominal pain, and GI symptoms prior to skin purpura were risk factors for IgAV with intussusception and intestinal perforation. Early use of glucocorticoids may prevent intussusception and intestinal perforation.