vasculitis 301Type of Vasculitis Unique Symptoms Treatment and Outlook
polyarteritis nodosa affects arteries in the LIVER, gastrointestinal aggressive, high-dose corticosteroid medications
tract, kidneys at diagnosis
purpura and skin ulceration immunosuppressive medications for nonresponsive
pain in the joints and large muscles or severe symptoms
abdominal pain long-term corticosteroid therapy to control chronic
HYPERTENSION disease
antihypertensive therapy
untreated or severe disease has high risk for death
complications include renal failure, LIVER FAILURE,
and HEART FAILURE
polymyalgia rheumatica primarily occurs in adults over age 60 NSAIDs
severe pain and inflammation in the corticosteroid medications
large joints (knees, hips, shoulders) chronic symptoms requiring long-term treatment
may indicate underlying giant cell arteritis
Takayasu arteritis affects the AORTAand other large arteries corticosteroid medications
most common in women between ages immunosuppressive medications for severe
20 and 35 symptoms
pain and weakness in the back and arm ANTICOAGULATION THERAPYsuch as aspirin or warfarin
on the affected side spontaneous resolution in about 95 percent of
lower BLOOD PRESSUREin the arm on the people
affected side possible complications include STROKE, HEART
headache, dizziness, and vision ATTACK, severe hypertension, aortic aneurysm, and
disturbances heart failure
hypertension
thromboangiitis obliterans most common in men aged 20 to 40 SMOKING CESSATION
(Buerger’s disease) who smoke rest until inflammation subsides
affects blood vessels in arms, hands, legs, regular walking to improve circulation and
and feet muscular support for blood vessels
leg cramps with walking (INTERMITTENT aggressive treatment for ulcers that develop
CLAUDICATION) AMPUTATIONof gangrenous digits or extremities
altered sensation or loss of sensation in chronic condition that requires diligent lifestyle
feet (paresthesia) management to minimize symptoms
ulcerations on fingers and toes with rapid
progression to GANGRENE(tissue death)
Wegener’s granulomatosis more common in men over age 40 immunosuppressive medications
affects blood vessels in the NOSE, SINUSES, corticosteroid medications with mild symptoms
THROAT, lungs, and kidneys, often and early diagnosis
causing ulcerations trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic therapy)
chronic PNEUMONITIS treatment eliminates symptoms in 50 percent of
chronic GLOMERULONEPHRITIS people
forms multiple granulomas severe or untreated symptoms can be fatal
outlook best with early diagnosis and treatment