Cutaneous vasculitis and inflammatory bowel diseases
Simonetti, O.; Postacchini, V.; Offidani, A.
Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia Organo Ufficiale Societa Italiana di Dermatologia e Sifilografia 150(2): 233-236
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-0488 PMID: 25830412 Document Number: 683275
Extraintestinal manifestations occur in up to 40% of patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may precede the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms by many years. Vasculitides are considered rare cutaneous manifestations, but they often represent an important cause of morbidity and a relevant diagnostic issue in IBD. In addition, the increasing use of biological therapies for IBD may also play a pivotal role in the development of vascular disorders of different type. Hence, we provide a complete and in-depth review of the main features of cutaneous vasculitides observed in IBD, with a specific focus on their clinical presentation and possible pathophysiological mechanisms.