Purpura pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pathophysiology

Purpura is a common and unspecific symptom, however the underlying mechanism commonly involves one of the following;

Platelet disorders
- Primary thrombocytopenic purpura
- Secondary thrombocytopenic purpura
Vascular disorders
- Microvascular injury, as seen in senile (old age) purpura, when blood vessels are more easily damaged
- Hypertensive states
- Deficient vascular support
- Vasculitis, as in the case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura
Coagulation disorders
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

There are also cases of psychogenic purpura described in the medical literature,^[1] some claimed to be due to “autoerythrocyte sensitization”. Other studies^[2] suggest, that local (cutaneous) activity of tPA can be increased in psychogenic purpura, leading to substantial amounts of localized plasmin activity, rapid degradation of fibrin clots, and resultant bleeding.

References

↑ Anderson JE, DeGoff W, McNamara M (1999). “Autoerythrocyte sensitization (psychogenic purpura): a case report and review of the literature”. Pediatric emergency care. 15 (1): 47–8. PMID 10069314.
↑ Lotti T, Benci M, Sarti MG, Teofoli P, Senesi C, Bonan P; et al. (1993). “Psychogenic purpura with abnormallt cutaney increased tPA dependeny”. 32 (7): 521–3. PMID 8340191. Unknown parameter |journous fibrinolytic activital= ignored (help)

Template:WH Template:WS

[pmid10069314-1] Anderson JE, DeGoff W, McNamara M (1999). “Autoerythrocyte sensitization (psychogenic purpura): a case report and review of the literature”. Pediatric emergency care. 15 (1): 47–8. PMID 10069314.

[pmid8340191-2] Lotti T, Benci M, Sarti MG, Teofoli P, Senesi C, Bonan P; et al. (1993). “Psychogenic purpura with abnormallt cutaney increased tPA dependeny”. 32 (7): 521–3. PMID 8340191. Unknown parameter |journous fibrinolytic activital= ignored (help)

[1]

[2]