Rationale: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small-vessel vasculitis that has been extensively studied in children, but little is known about its natural history in adults. There is no consensus regarding the treatment of glucocorticosteroids use for HSP. The efficacy of glucocorticoid for preventing from severe complications or relapse is also controversial in HSP.
Patient concerns: A 21-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain for more than 20 days, hematochezia for more than 10 days, and rash for 2 days.
Diagnoses: The diagnosis of HSP is based on the European League against Rheumatism and the Paediatric Rheumatology European Society in 2006.
Interventions: The patient received glucocorticosteroids treatment for 17 days at the time of first hospitalization.
Outcomes: The abdominal pain and hematochezia completely disappeared on the 6th day after the use of glucocorticosteroids, and purpura completely disappeared on the 8th day.
Lessons: Our patient has a good response to glucocorticoid. Glucocorticosteroids may be effective for the treatment of HSP.