Biomedical subjects

Robert I Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to Robert I Kelly.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Retrospective analysis of adult patients with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 93 adult patients with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis from St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne to determine the classification, aetiology, severity and prognosis of this population of patients. We developed a new classification system for the purposes of our study based on modifications to the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definitions for vasculitic syndromes. The results of our study indicate that an obvious cause was not found in 44.1% of patients. Of the patients with secondary vasculitis, the commonest causes were drugs and infections, accounting for a total of 40.9% of patients. Extracutaneous involvement was found in 39.8% of patients. Patients with symptoms resolving in less than 3 months accounted for 59.1% of the population, whereas 24.8% of patients had either symptoms lasting three or more months or evidence of recurrent symptomatology. There were 6 deaths (6.91%) and the rest were lost to follow up. The majority of patients in this retrospective series were classified as having hypersensitivity vasculitis, which is a relatively benign disorder limited mostly to skin with a low incidence of extracutaneous involvement (15.8%). Nevertheless, evidence of systemic involvement or sepsis need to be excluded as this may have important implications for patient treatment and outcome.

Female↗

PubMed2005

Golfer's vasculitis.

A number of patients presented with an erythematous, purpuric rash occurring on the legs in association with playing golf and also after prolonged walks or hikes. Many patients believed that it was an allergic reaction to grasses or insecticides and had sometimes undergone extensive allergy testing. We collected reports of 17 such cases from dermatologists in the state of Victoria, Australia. Patients were interviewed by phone and asked to submit photographs of the rash if possible. Of these, the eruption developed in 15 after playing 18 holes of golf and in three following prolonged hikes. The rash would usually develop over the summer months under hot conditions. Most patients were over 50 years of age when the tendency to develop the eruption began. Biopsies of the rash in the active phase showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Patch testing and investigations for potential underlying causes for vasculitis were negative or unremarkable. It would seem that this is a common but poorly documented condition. The clinical presentation and histology would support the conclusion that it represents a leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by prolonged exercise under hot conditions. The findings would suggest that it occurs in healthy people and extensive investigation with blood tests or allergy testing is inappropriate. We believe the condition should be termed 'golfer's vasculitis', as golf appears to be the most common precipitating event and such a term would enable the condition to become more widely recognized.

Aged↗