Systemic vasculitis: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:02, 15 February 2025

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

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

Large vessel vasculitis

Medium vessel vasculitis

Small vessel vasculitis

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.

Clinical manifestations

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

Renal: Hematuria, proteinuria, renal failure
Pulmonary: Cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea
Dermatological: Purpura, ulcers, nodules

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.

Related pages

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-'''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.
+{{Short description|Overview of systemic vasculitis}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== 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.
-== Symptoms ==
+==Classification==
-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.
+Systemic vasculitis is classified based on the size of the affected blood vessels:
-== Diagnosis ==
+===Large 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.
+* [[Giant cell arteritis]]
+* [[Takayasu's arteritis]]
-== Treatment ==
+===Medium 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.
+* [[Polyarteritis nodosa]]
+* [[Kawasaki disease]]
-== Prognosis ==
+===Small vessel vasculitis===
-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.
+* [[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis]]
+* [[Microscopic polyangiitis]]
+* [[Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis]]
-== See Also ==
+==Pathophysiology==
-* [[Vasculitis]]
+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.
-* [[Autoimmune diseases]]
-* [[Rheumatoid arthritis]]
-* [[Lupus]]
-[[Category:Medical Conditions]]
+==Clinical manifestations==
-[[Category:Autoimmune Diseases]]
+The clinical manifestations of systemic vasculitis vary depending on the size and location of the affected vessels. Common symptoms include:
-[[Category:Vascular Diseases]]
+* Fever
+* Fatigue
+* Weight loss
+* Muscle and joint pain
-{{stub}}
+===Organ-specific symptoms===
+* [[Renal]]: Hematuria, proteinuria, renal failure
+* [[Pulmonary]]: Cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea
+* [[Dermatological]]: Purpura, ulcers, nodules
+==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.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Autoimmune disease]]
+* [[Inflammation]]
+* [[Rheumatology]]
+[[File:Vasculitis_2.jpg|thumb|right|Micrograph showing vasculitis.]]
+[[Category:Vascular diseases]]
+[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]