This disorder is often followed after an upper respiratory tract infections and is often, but not necessarily, self-limited.Ī systemic vasculitis affecting small and medium–sized blood vessels associated with the autoantibody, ANCA. It can be characterized by fever, headache, and jaw/scalp pain. It is a large vessel vasculitis that affects people over the age of 50 (although most individuals affected are 70-80 years of age). This disease was previously named “temporal arteritis”, and is the most common type of vasculitis in adults in North America. EGPA has a tendency to involve lungs, peripheral nerves, skin, kidneys, and heart.Ĭharacterized by recurrent purpura (red dots) on the lower extremities and may be associated with hepatitis C virus infections or paraproteinemias. Mainly affects smokers, leading to decreased blood flow to the hands and feet.Įosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA, formerly known as Churg Strauss)Īssociated with asthma, nasal polyps, sinusitis, elevated eosinophil counts, and vasculitis.
However, other organ systems may also be affected.īuerger’s Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans) Although the diseases are similar in some ways, they often differ with respect to which organs are affected, which medications are used to treat them, and other characteristics.Ĭharacterized by the triad of mouth ulcers, genital ulcers, and eye inflammation. There are many different types of diseases that belong to this category. “ Angiitis” and “ Arteritis” are both synonyms for vasculitis, literally meaning “inflammation within blood vessels” or “inflammation in arteries.” Because there are so many types of vasculitis, the group is sometimes referred to in the plural: vasculitides (pronounced “vas que lit’ i deez”). There are approximately 20 different disorders that are classified as “vasculitis”.