Efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroid with azathioprine in the treatment of elderly-onset IgA vasculitis with nephritis

Abstract

The diagnosis of elderly-onset IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and its prognosis can be difficult to ascertain because of its rarity and the frequent presence of comorbidities. Furthermore, the treatment of elderly-onset IgAV remains controversial. We report a case of IgAV in an 87-year-old patient. Renal involvement was detected early during the IgAV follow-up. He was treated with low-dose corticosteroid and azathioprine, which led to a complete remission without any adverse effects. This suggests that precise intervention with early diagnosis and careful renal follow-up may prevent renal failure and that low-dose steroids with azathioprine can be an effective treatment for elderly-onset IgAV with nephritis.