[Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis]

Abstract

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of C1q precipitins associated with a syndrome of urticarial vasculitis, arthralgias, ocular inflammation and obstructive-lung disease. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman with hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis. Because of dependance to corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide-pulse therapy was started and resulted in significant clinical improvement. Mycophenolate mofetil was effective as maintenance therapy and resulted in complete resolution of rash, arthralgias, arthritis and uveitis, but had no effect on the obstructive-lung disease.