Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome at the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Different autoimmune diseases can result in urticarial eruptions, in particular, in the form of such a rare immune disorder as hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS). HUVS can be the debut of diffuse connective tissue disorders, in particular, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To optimize the diagnostics of this syndrome, the authors describe the course of HUVS in a female patient aged 31 suffering from SLE and characterize particular features of the differential diagnostics of HUVS with skin disorders, in the first place, chronic urticaria. The syndrome is diagnosed clinically and confirmed by histology and laboratory examinations. In addition to urticarial eruptions, HUVS is also characterized by the severe course with systemic manifestations on the part of different organs, reduction in the level of the complimentary components in the serum and detection of specific markers of the disease such as anti-C1q antibodies.