Evaluation of the Effect of the Pandemic Period on Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Abstract Background Immunoglobulin A vasculitis is a vasculitis that occurs after a triggering infection and progresses with different clinical manifestations. Recent studies have shown an association between coronavirus disease and IgA vasculitis in children. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of the pandemic period on the course of IgA vasculitis. Methods Clinical data of 224 patients who were newly diagnosed with IgA vasculitis were retrospectively reviewed and grouped into prepandemic, pandemic and postpandemic periods. The clinical data of the patients in these periods were compared. Results In the prepandemic period, pandemic period and postpandemic period the number of patients were 75 [33.5%], 21 [9.4%] and 128 [57.1%], respectively. There was no significant difference between the periods in terms of isolated skin/systemic, gastrointestinal system and renal involvement [p>0.05]. Patients admitted with the diagnosis of IgA vasculitis in the prepandemic, pandemic and postpandemic periods comprised 0.5%, 0.2% and 0.3% of all patients, respectively. Conclusion While the number of patients admitted during the pandemic period decreased by 50%, it increased by 50% in the postpandemic period. It was thought that the reducing spread of viral infections with isolation measures may contribute to the decrease in IgA vasculitis cases.