What is Vasculitis?

​

Vasculitis is a group of rare autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation of blood vessels. Vasculitis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, which means the body comes under attack by its own immune system. In vasculitis, the immune system attacks blood vessels.  There are many types of vasculitis, and they may vary greatly in symptoms, severity and duration depending on the site and size of the blood vessels involved. 

​

​

​

What are the symptoms?

​

Vasculitis can range from mild to life-threatening.

​

Vasculitis has a wide range of signs and symptoms, such as:

​​

• Fever, night sweats, weight loss and feeling sick

• Shortness of breath, cough and spitting out blood

• Numbness or weakness in a hand or foot

• Red spots on the skin (“purpura”), lumps (“nodules”) or sores (“ulcers”)

• Vasculitis of the kidneys may produce no symptoms at first but is still a serious problem which can eventually lead to kidney failure. 

• Patients can have one episode of vasculitis or have repeated episodes over several years.

​

Vasculitis can be a part of other rheumatic diseases, mainly lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome but many patients with vasculitis have none of these diseases.

​

​

​

How is it diagnosed?

​

Early detection and treatment of severe vasculitis can prevent permanent damage and even be lifesaving. Doctors suspect vasculitis when a patient has symptoms and abnormal results of the physical exam, lab tests or both. Biopsy and angiography may be necessary in some case.

​

​

​

How is it treated?

​

Vasculitic diseases need treatment with potent anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids and other medicines that control the immune system. We called them steroid-sparing DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs). Example of DMARDs are: methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine and others. Newer biologic drugs can be even more efficient and relatively safer, examples are Rituximab, Actemra.  

​

These diseases need emergent attention and consultation of rheumatologist to prevent life threatening complications.