Skin Manifestations of VEXAS Syndrome and Associated Genotypes
Clinical Summary
View sourceWhat was studied
An observational cohort of 112 patients with UBA1-variant–confirmed VEXAS (2019–2023) characterized the spectrum of skin findings and their associations with genotype, histology, and other clinical features; a secondary aim assessed skin response to treatments.
Key findings
Skin involvement occurred in 93/112 (83%) and was the presenting feature in 68/112 (61%); histopathology (64 reports from 60 patients) most often showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis 23/64 (36%), neutrophilic dermatosis 22/64 (34%), and perivascular dermatitis 19/64 (30%). Genotype–phenotype links included p.Met41Leu with neutrophilic infiltrates 14/17 (82%) and p.Met41Val with vasculitic lesions 11/20 (55%) and mixed leukocytic infiltrates 17/20 (85%); prednisone improved skin in 67/73 (92%), while anakinra caused severe injection-site reactions in 12/16 (75%) with ulceration 2/12 (17%) and abscess 1/12 (8%).
Study limitations
Data came from mixed sources (retrospective chart review and NIH evaluations), histopathology was available for only 60/112 patients, and treatment response was based on physician impression rather than standardized measures.
Clinical implications
In older men with cutaneous vasculitis, neutrophilic dermatoses, or chondritis, consider testing for VEXAS (UBA1). Prednisone often improves skin disease, while anakinra may cause frequent severe injection-site reactions.
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