A case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in the elderly: not just a ‘second childhood’

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a small vessel-vasculitis that usually affects children and adolescents; its onset in adults is uncommon. We describe a case of HSP complicated with nephritis and extensive deep vein thrombosis in an 81-year-old Caucasian woman, successfully treated with oral corticosteroids. Even at the extremes of age, HSP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, with a particular attention to renal involvement, because of its potential morbidity and mortality in the elderly; in addition, ruling out an occult thrombotic event in course of HSP is mandatory, especially in the presence of additional thrombotic risk factors.