We report a case of hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis with an elevated serum rheumatoid factor level. Hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis is an immune complex-mediated disease characterised by urticarial eruptions. High levels of rheumatoid factor may be associated with hypocomplementaemia due to the consumption of complement, because the rheumatoid factor can form immune complexes with immunoglobulin. It is necessary to pay attention to the amounts of complement in cases of urticarial eruptions with elevated rheumatoid factor level. The eruptions were relieved with a combination of prednisolone and colchicine.
Keywords: colchicine; hypocomplementaemia; purpura; rheumatoid factor; urticarial vasculitis.
© 2012 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2012 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.