Abstract: Objective Our study was designed to determine the risk factors for Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) in adult patients with gastrointestinal manifestations. Methods The demographic, clinical, laboratorial, pathologic features and prognosis of 118 adult HSPN patients, who treated at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Health, during the period of January 1, 2004 to May 31, 2009, were analyzed. Results Of the 118 patients, 52 cases (44.1%) were diagnosed with gastrointestinal manifestations (case group) and 66 were without gastrointestinal manifestations (control group). Compared with the control group, patients in the case group have higher percentage of joint involvement (P<0.001), higher neutrophil count (P<0.05), higher platelet count (P<0.01), lower albumin (P<0.05), lower serum natrium (P<0.05) and lower immunoglobulin G (P<0.05). In unconditional Logistic analysis, joint involvement (OR 5.010), neutrophil count (OR 1.248), and immunoglobulin G (OR 0.999) showed statistical difference. Conclusion Higher percentage of joint involvement, higher neutrophil count and lower immunoglobulin G are three independent risk factors for HSPN in adult patients with gastrointestinal manifestations.

Key words: Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis, gastrointestinal manifestation, adult, risk factor