[Cutaneous vasculitis associated with chronic hepatitis: 2 cases]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Hepatology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Cutaneous vasculitis can be associated with chronic hepatitis and mixed cryoglobulinemia.
• These conditions may lead to serious systemic complications, including renal involvement.

Observation:

• Two cases of cutaneous vasculitis linked to chronic hepatitis and mixed cryoglobulinemia are presented.
• The first case exhibited hypocomplementemia and glomerulonephritis, with lesions responding to plasma exchange but not immunosuppressants.
• The second case, with chronic active hepatitis and colitis, showed improvement with prednisolone and azathioprine.

Findings:

• Cutaneous vasculitis may be the sole presenting symptom of underlying chronic hepatitis.
• Treatment responses varied, with plasma exchange effective in one case and immunosuppressants in another.
• Early identification of renal failure is possible through the investigation of such cases.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering hepatitis and cryoglobulinemia in patients with unexplained cutaneous vasculitis.
• Suggests a potential role for early renal function assessment in these patients.
• Demonstrates varied therapeutic responses, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment strategies.