COVID-19 associated vasculitis: A systematic review of case reports and case series

Highlights

• This is a systematic review of all published cases of vasculitis secondary to COVID-19 from the start of COVID-19 outbreak to date.

• Most common forms of vasculitis reported were Kawasaki disease Vasculitis, IgA vasculitis and Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis with symptoms being predominantly skin limited.

• Steroids, LMWH and IVIG were the most common line of treatment.

• An good overall prognosis was seen following treatment.

Abstract

Vasculitis is one of the complications of COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review analysing the association of COVID-19 with vasculitis. We searched Google Scholar and PubMed from December 1, 2019, to October 11, 2021. The review included 8 studies (7 case reports and 1 case series) reporting 9 cases of vasculitis secondary to COVID-19. The mean age was 29.17 ± 28.2 years, ranging from 6 months to 83 years. The male to female ratio was 4:5. Maculopapular, violaceous, papular and erythematous rash were common. Heparin(n = 2), corticosteroids (n = 6) (methylprednisolone) and intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 4) were prescribed in these patients. Significant clinical improvement was observed in 8 out of 9 patients. One person died during treatment. Our study discusses vasculitis as one of the complications of COVID-19. Furthermore, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of COVID-19 associated vasculitis is discussed.