Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Vasculitis with Kidney Involvement
Number of Conditions: 2
Microscopic Polyangiitis
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Systemic Diseases with Renal Involvement
Sub-category: Vasculitis with Kidney Involvement
Symptoms:
fatigue; fever; weight loss; hematuria (blood in urine); proteinuria; shortness of breath; cough with blood (hemoptysis); joint pain; skin purpura
Root Cause:
Autoimmune-mediated small-vessel vasculitis, characterized by inflammation without granuloma formation, leading to damage in kidneys, lungs, and skin.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves clinical assessment, ANCA serology (commonly p-ANCA/MPO-ANCA positive), urinalysis for renal involvement, imaging for lung involvement, and kidney biopsy confirming necrotizing vasculitis.
Treatment:
Similar to Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, treatment focuses on inducing and maintaining remission with immunosuppressive therapy.
Medications:
Commonly prescribed medications include - Glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone ) for inflammation control. Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclophosphamide or azathioprine ) for autoimmune suppression. Biologics such as rituximab in refractory cases. Plasma Exchange for life-threatening complications like rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; incidence is approximately 1–3 cases per 100,000 people per year.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Similar to Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis; includes genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Better outcomes with early diagnosis and treatment; relapses are common, requiring long-term monitoring and management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic kidney disease, respiratory failure, infections due to immunosuppression, and thromboembolic events.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener's)
Specialty: Nephrology
Category: Systemic Diseases with Renal Involvement
Sub-category: Vasculitis with Kidney Involvement
Symptoms:
fatigue; fever; weight loss; sinusitis; nasal crusting; hematuria (blood in urine); shortness of breath; joint pain; skin rashes or ulcers
Root Cause:
Autoimmune-mediated vasculitis affecting small- to medium-sized blood vessels, leading to inflammation and necrosis in multiple organs, particularly the kidneys, lungs, and upper respiratory tract.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves clinical assessment, laboratory tests (e.g., ANCA test, ESR, CRP), imaging studies (e.g., CT or MRI), and tissue biopsy of affected organs (commonly kidney or nasal tissues).
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on inducing and maintaining remission with immunosuppressive therapy and supportive care.
Medications:
Commonly prescribed medications include - Glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone ) to reduce inflammation. Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclophosphamide or methotrexate ) to control autoimmune activity. Biologics such as rituximab , a monoclonal antibody targeting B-cells. Plasma Exchange in severe cases with kidney or lung involvement.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; estimated incidence is 1 in 20,000–30,000 people, with equal distribution across genders and a peak onset between ages 40–65.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, environmental triggers (e.g., infections), and possibly silica dust exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis has improved with treatment, with remission achieved in most cases, but relapses are common; untreated, it can be fatal within a year.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Kidney failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, chronic sinusitis, hearing loss, secondary infections due to immunosuppression.