Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Autoimmune and Systemic Conditions
Number of Conditions: 1
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s Granulomatosis)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Nasal Conditions
Sub-category: Autoimmune and Systemic Conditions
Symptoms:
chronic sinusitis; nasal ulcerations; nasal discharge (often bloody); facial pain; fatigue; weight loss; cough; hemoptysis (coughing up blood); joint pain
Root Cause:
An autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) and granulomas in the respiratory tract, kidneys, and other organs.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, laboratory tests (e.g., c-ANCA), and biopsy of affected tissues showing granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis.
Treatment:
Treatment involves immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) and cytotoxic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide). Maintenance therapy may include methotrexate or rituximab.
Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) are used as anti-inflammatory agents, while cytotoxic agents like cyclophosphamide (alkylating agents) suppress the immune response. Methotrexate (antimetabolite) and rituximab (monoclonal antibody) may be used for maintenance therapy.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A rare condition, affecting approximately 3-4 people per million annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, environmental triggers (e.g., infections), and smoking.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With treatment, the prognosis has improved, but long-term management is required to prevent relapses and complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney failure, hearing loss, pulmonary hemorrhage, and the development of other systemic organ failures.