Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a well-recognized entity characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo that may ulcerate. The pathogenesis of cutaneous PAN is not known. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histological features of 79 cases of cutaneous PAN and to investigate any clinical, pathological and immunological differences that may distinguish those cases likely to have a prolonged course. A retrospective analysis of 79 cases was conducted. Thirty-nine patients had ulcers during the course of their illness. Women were affected more than men. Painful nodules on the lower extremities, with oedema and swelling, were the most common clinical finding; 22% of patients had some evidence of neuropathy. Most of the laboratory findings were non-specific. There was no evidence for hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection was present in only one patient. Most patients (60%) had no associated medical condition. The disease course was prolonged but benign, and systemic PAN did not develop in any patient. Corticosteroids given systemically induced remission in most acute cases. The ulcerative form of disease was more prolonged and frequently associated with neuropathy.

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Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a well-recognized entity characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo that may ulcerate. The pathogenesis of cutaneous PAN is not known. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histological features of 79 cases of cutaneous PAN and to investigate any clinical, pathological and immunological differences that may distinguish those cases likely to have a prolonged course. A retrospective analysis of 79 cases was conducted. Thirty-nine patients had ulcers during the course of their illness. Women were affected more than men. Painful nodules on the lower extremities, with oedema and swelling, were the most common clinical finding; 22% of patients had some evidence of neuropathy. Most of the laboratory findings were non-specific. There was no evidence for hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection was present in only one patient. Most patients (60%) had no associated medical condition. The disease course was prolonged but benign, and systemic PAN did not develop in any patient. Corticosteroids given systemically induced remission in most acute cases. The ulcerative form of disease was more prolonged and frequently associated with neuropathy.

r SUMMARY To resolve the conflict among published reports as to the value of screening for haematinic deficiencies in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, we evaluated 102 such patients. Venous blood was sampled for a complete blood cell count and measurements of serum iron, serum iron-binding capacity and capacity saturation, serum folate, and serum vitamin BM. Of the 40 patients deficient In iron or folate, 6 were anaemic, 23 were deficient in iron, and 22 were deficient in folate; 5 were deficient in both iron and folate. The discriminating value of the complete blood cell count between the 62 nondeficient and 40 deficient patients was low. Among the 70 patients evaluated 6 years after entry into the study, 24 (60%) of the 40 nondeficient patients and 23 (77%) of the 30 deficient patients were in remission or improved. The results of this study confirm the advisability of screening for haematinic deficiencies of iron, folate, and vitamin B\2 and also suggest that replacement therapy in deficient patients is beneficiai.