29th January 2024

Diagnosis

The clinical tetrad of purpura, arthritis, kidney inflammation and abdominal pain is highly suggestive of diagnosis. Blood tests may demonstrate a raised IgA level in around one-third of patients. Biopsy of the skin, bowel or kidneys will show IgA deposition in the vessel walls on direct immunofluorescence in 81% of cases. CT scan of the abdomen may demonstrate bowel inflammation or abdominal complications of disease.