Research article

Endothelin 1 levels in relation to clinical presentation and outcome of Henoch Schonlein purpura

S Fessatou¹ , P Nicolaidou¹ , D Gourgiotis² , H Georgouli² , K Douros¹ , M Moustaki¹ and A Fretzayas^1,3

¹  3rd Department of Pediatrics "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

²  2nd Department of Pediatrics, "P & A Kyriakou" Children's Hospital Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

³  3rd Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 1 Rimini str, Haidari, 12462, Athens, Greece

author email corresponding author email

BMC Pediatrics 2008, 8:33doi:10.1186/1471-2431-8-33

Published:	2 September 2008

Abstract

Background

Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a common vasculitis of small vessels whereas endothelin-1 (ET-1) is usually reported elevated in vasculities and systematic inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ET-1 levels are correlated with the clinical presentation and the outcome of HSP.

Methods

The study sample consisted of thirty consecutive patients with HSP. An equal number of healthy patients of similar age and the same gender were served as controls. The patients' age range was 2–12.6 years with a mean ± SD = 6.3 ± 3 years. All patients had a physical examination with a renal, and an overall clinical score. Blood and urinary biochemistry, immunology investigation, a skin biopsy and ET-1 measurements in blood and urine samples were made at presentation, 1 month later and 1 year after the appearance of HSP. The controls underwent the same investigation with the exception of skin biopsy.

Results

ET-1 levels in plasma and urine did not differ between patients and controls at three distinct time points. Furthermore the ET-1 were not correlated with the clinical score and renal involvement was independent from the ET-1 measurements. However, the urinary ET-1 levels were a significant predictor of the duration of the acute phase of HSP (HR = 0.98, p = 0.032, CI0.96–0.99). The ET-1 levels did not correlate with the duration of renal involvement.

Conclusion

Urinary ET-1 levels are a useful marker for the duration of the acute phase of HSP but not for the length of renal involvement.