Systemic vasculitis: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
 
CSV import
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Systemic Vasculitis''' is a form of [[vasculitis]]—a group of disorders that destroy blood vessels by inflammation. It can affect any type of blood vessel—arteries, arterioles, veins, venules, or capillaries. Systemic vasculitis can cause changes in the walls of blood vessels, such as inflammation, weakening, narrowing, or scarring. These changes can restrict blood flow, resulting in organ and tissue damage.
{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Systemic vasculitis
| image          = [[File:Vasculitis_2.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Histopathological image showing vasculitis
| field          = [[Rheumatology]]
| symptoms        = [[Fever]], [[fatigue]], [[weight loss]], [[muscle pain]], [[joint pain]], [[skin rash]]
| complications  = [[Organ damage]], [[aneurysm]], [[thrombosis]]
| onset          = Variable, depending on type
| duration        = Chronic
| types          = [[Giant cell arteritis]], [[Takayasu's arteritis]], [[Polyarteritis nodosa]], [[Kawasaki disease]], [[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis]], [[Microscopic polyangiitis]], [[Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis]]
| causes          = [[Autoimmune disease]], [[infection]], [[medication]]
| risks          = [[Genetic predisposition]], [[environmental factors]]
| diagnosis      = [[Blood test]], [[biopsy]], [[imaging studies]]
| treatment      = [[Corticosteroids]], [[immunosuppressive drugs]], [[biologic agents]]
| prognosis      = Variable, depending on type and severity
| frequency      = Rare
}}
{{Short description|Overview of systemic vasculitis}}


== Causes ==
'''Systemic vasculitis''' refers to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect various organs and tissues throughout the body. This condition can lead to vessel wall damage, resulting in tissue ischemia and organ dysfunction.
The exact cause of systemic vasculitis is unknown. However, it's believed to involve the immune system attacking the blood vessels, often triggered by an infection or medication. [[Autoimmune diseases]], such as [[rheumatoid arthritis]] and [[lupus]], can also cause systemic vasculitis.
==Classification==
 
Systemic vasculitis is classified based on the size of the affected blood vessels:
== Symptoms ==
===Large vessel vasculitis===
Symptoms of systemic vasculitis can vary greatly depending on the organs affected and the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, and nerve problems like numbness or weakness.
* [[Giant cell arteritis]]
 
* [[Takayasu's arteritis]]
== Diagnosis ==
===Medium vessel vasculitis===
Diagnosis of systemic vasculitis involves a thorough medical history and physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests such as [[X-ray]]s, [[CT scan]]s, or [[MRI]]s, and sometimes a biopsy of affected tissue.
* [[Polyarteritis nodosa]]
 
* [[Kawasaki disease]]
== Treatment ==
===Small vessel vasculitis===
Treatment for systemic vasculitis aims to reduce inflammation in the affected blood vessels and treat any underlying cause of the disease. This often involves medications such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair damaged blood vessels.
* [[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis]]
 
* [[Microscopic polyangiitis]]
== Prognosis ==
* [[Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis]]
The prognosis for systemic vasculitis varies depending on the severity of the disease and the organs affected. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prognosis.
==Pathophysiology==
 
The pathophysiology of systemic vasculitis involves immune-mediated inflammation of the blood vessel walls. This can be triggered by infections, drugs, or autoimmune processes. The inflammation leads to vessel wall damage, which can cause stenosis, aneurysm formation, or rupture.
== See Also ==
==Clinical manifestations==
* [[Vasculitis]]
The clinical manifestations of systemic vasculitis vary depending on the size and location of the affected vessels. Common symptoms include:
* [[Autoimmune diseases]]
* Fever
* [[Rheumatoid arthritis]]
* Fatigue
* [[Lupus]]
* Weight loss
 
* Muscle and joint pain
[[Category:Medical Conditions]]
===Organ-specific symptoms===
[[Category:Autoimmune Diseases]]
* [[Renal]]: Hematuria, proteinuria, renal failure
[[Category:Vascular Diseases]]
* [[Pulmonary]]: Cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea
 
* [[Dermatological]]: Purpura, ulcers, nodules
{{stub}}
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of systemic vasculitis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Common diagnostic tools include:
* [[Blood tests]]: Elevated inflammatory markers, ANCA
* [[Biopsy]]: Histological examination of affected tissue
* [[Imaging]]: Angiography, MRI, CT scan
==Treatment==
Treatment of systemic vasculitis aims to reduce inflammation and prevent organ damage. Common treatment options include:
* [[Corticosteroids]]: Prednisone
* [[Immunosuppressive drugs]]: Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate
* [[Biologic agents]]: Rituximab
==Prognosis==
The prognosis of systemic vasculitis depends on the type and severity of the disease, as well as the response to treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes.
==See also==
* [[Autoimmune disease]]
* [[Inflammation]]
* [[Rheumatology]]
[[File:Vasculitis_2.jpg|left|thumb|Micrograph showing vasculitis.]]
[[Category:Vascular diseases]]
[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]

Latest revision as of 15:57, 12 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Systemic vasculitis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fever, fatigue, weight loss, muscle pain, joint pain, skin rash
Complications Organ damage, aneurysm, thrombosis
Onset Variable, depending on type
Duration Chronic
Types Giant cell arteritis, Takayasu's arteritis, Polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Microscopic polyangiitis, Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Causes Autoimmune disease, infection, medication
Risks Genetic predisposition, environmental factors
Diagnosis Blood test, biopsy, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention N/A
Treatment Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, biologic agents
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable, depending on type and severity
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Overview of systemic vasculitis


Systemic vasculitis refers to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect various organs and tissues throughout the body. This condition can lead to vessel wall damage, resulting in tissue ischemia and organ dysfunction.

Classification[edit]

Systemic vasculitis is classified based on the size of the affected blood vessels:

Large vessel vasculitis[edit]

Medium vessel vasculitis[edit]

Small vessel vasculitis[edit]

Pathophysiology[edit]

The pathophysiology of systemic vasculitis involves immune-mediated inflammation of the blood vessel walls. This can be triggered by infections, drugs, or autoimmune processes. The inflammation leads to vessel wall damage, which can cause stenosis, aneurysm formation, or rupture.

Clinical manifestations[edit]

The clinical manifestations of systemic vasculitis vary depending on the size and location of the affected vessels. Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Muscle and joint pain

Organ-specific symptoms[edit]

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of systemic vasculitis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Common diagnostic tools include:

  • Blood tests: Elevated inflammatory markers, ANCA
  • Biopsy: Histological examination of affected tissue
  • Imaging: Angiography, MRI, CT scan

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of systemic vasculitis aims to reduce inflammation and prevent organ damage. Common treatment options include:

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of systemic vasculitis depends on the type and severity of the disease, as well as the response to treatment. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for improving outcomes.

See also[edit]

Micrograph showing vasculitis.
Retrieved from "https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Systemic_vasculitis&oldid=6549663"