Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
by
Annie Stuart DefinitionGranulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disease of the blood vessels. The walls of blood vessels become inflamed. This slows the flow of blood to tissue. It can lead to damage of connected organs. Left untreated it can be fatal.
CausesThe immune system begins to attack healthy blood vessels. This causes inflammation. It’s not clear what causes this change in the immune system. Risk FactorsGPA is more common in people over 65 years old. SymptomsSymptoms will vary. They can range from mild to serious. Ear, nose, and throat symptoms often appear first. They are common but don’t respond to normal care. GPA can cause:
Other common problems:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. Tests may be needed to rule out other conditions. The doctor may suspect GPA based on your symptoms. A blood test will help to confirm it. A sample of the tissue may also be taken. It will be looked at in a lab for more details. Other tests may be done to look for any changes in kidneys or lungs. TreatmentTreatment can help to reduce inflammation. It can create a period of time without disease called remission. Medicines will:
The choice of medicine will depend on what organs are affected. Treatment may last several months or 1 to 2 years. PreventionThere is no way to prevent GPA since the cause is unknown. RESOURCES:National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH) https://www.niaid.nih.gov Vasculitis Foundation https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca Health Canada https://www.canada.ca References:
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated May 8, 2018. Accessed July 10, 2018.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases website. Available at:
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/gpa/pages/default.aspx. Updated October 29, 2013. Accessed July 10, 2018. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/vasculitis/granulomatosis-with-polyangiitis-gpa. Updated September 2017. Accessed July 10, 2018. Last reviewed May 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC Last Updated: 7/10/2018 | ||
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