During a 15-year-period 62 adult patients were admitted with diagnosis of S
choenlein-Henoch purpura in our hospital. 25 female and 37 male patients ra
nged from 30-87 years (mean: 59.5 years) presenting with cutaneous, joint,
renal and particularly abdominal involvement were investigated retrospectiv
ely. During the course of the disease, all patients developed purpuric,rash
(100%), 14 (22,5%) patients had joint symptoms and renal involvement occur
red in 12 (19,3%) patients. In this study, we discuss 15 (24%) patients wit
h gastrointestinal symptoms appearing in Henoch's purpura. Analysis of the
gastrointestinal clinical features revealed: Abdominal pain 13 (86%), massi
ve colorectal bleeding 3 (20%), occult blood loss 10 (66%) vomiting 6 (40%)
and diarrhea in 3 (20%) patients. Surgical consultation was obtained for 4
of the 15 patients and laparotomy was performed in 2 patients. All the pat
ients underwent lower and upper endoscopic examination, in 3 cases the auth
ors saw purpuric mucosal lesions in duodenum and in 8 patients were also fo
und coin-like elevated lesions, additionally, biopsy from colonic lesions s
howed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is concluded that endoscopy may play
a very important role in the diagnosis and treatment of Schoenlein-Henoch p
urpura.