International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Research Articles

E078 Long term outcomes of diffuse alveolar haemorrhage in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a single centre study

Abstract Background/Aims ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) is a heterogeneous disease with significant mortality and morbidity. Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening condition and presents with hemoptysis, cough, breathlessness and respiratory failure. Studies have shown a prevalence of about 25%. This study was designed to assess the clinical features, serology, efficacy of treatment and long term outcomes in DAH patients secondary to AAV. Methods This was an observational study which included adult AAV Patients diagnosed based on Revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference classification criteria from January 2016 to August, 2023 after IEC approval. DAH was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, Imaging (Diffuse alveolar infiltrates), drop in hemoglobin, hypoxia and Bronchoalveolar lavage in cases where feasible. Demographic details, clinical features, laboratory data including ANCA serology, treatment, disease activity, outcomes of patients were assessed prospectively. DAH and Non DAH groups were compared using Kruskal Wallis test for median values. Student t-test for mean values and Chi square for categorical variables were used to test association between two groups with statistical significance of P-Value <0.05. Results 133 AAV patients were included in the study. DAH was seen in 42(31.5%) patients. The mean (± SD) age of patients was 49.4(±18.9) years. Males (52.3%) were marginally higher in number then females (47.6%). Patients presented with a median of 8 weeks after AAV diagnosis. Hemoptysis (61.9%), cough (47.6%) and breathlessness(64.3%) were the presenting complaints. Renal, Sinusitis, Gastrointestinal involvement was seen in 83.3%, 61.9% and 14.2% respectively. Musculoskeletal and Ophthalmic features were seen in 33.3% each. RPRF was seen in 42.8%. c-ANCA, p-ANCA were seen in 73.8%,21.4% while Anti PR3 antibody and Anti MPO antibody were seen in 78.5%, 21.4% patients respectively. Median (IQR) BVAS score at presentation was 20(13-24) compared to 11(7-11) in Non DAH group which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). 10(23.8%) patients required ventilator support. IVIg was given in 3(7.1%), while plasmapheresis was used in 7(16.7%). Induction regimen with Cyclophosphamide was used in 73.8% and Rituximab (RTX) in 8(19%) patients. Maintenance RTX was used in 42.8% and 45.2% patients received Azathioprine. 23.8% patients relapsed and 54.6% patients were in remission. 10(23.8%) required Mechanical Ventilation. No patients were on long term oxygen therapy. 7(16.6%) patients died. Morbidity was seen in 16(38%) including CKD in 8(19%) patients. Median(IQR) duration of follow up was 10(6-24) months. Conclusion DAH is a serious manifestation of AAV and an important Rheumatological emergency. DAH was present in 31.5% with majority patients in remission. Mortality was seen in 16.6% and morbidity in 38% cases. Management with combination of Pulse steroids, Cyclophosphamide /Rituximab and Plasmapheresis is the key to better outcomes. Ventilator support may be necessary in severe cases. Timely diagnosis and aggressive management is the key to survival and prevents morbidity. Disclosure J.R. Yadavalli: None. K. Telang: None. P. Khatri: None. S. Dhuria: None. G. Ekbote: None. R. Gupta: None.

Comparison of clinical and laboratory data of adult patients with cutaneous IgA-vasculitis and non-IgA vasculitis.

Immune complex vasculitides may be subdivided into adult IgA small vessel vasculitis (aIgA-SVV, adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura) and non-IgA-SVV (hypersensitivity vasculitis, etc.). We aimed to evaluate clinical and laboratory parameters of inpatients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for aIgA-SVV and non-IgA-SVV. 29 adult patients (≥ 20years) with aIgA-SVV according to the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria and 53 adult patients with non-IgA-SVV according to the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides were compared with respect to a variety of clinical and laboratory parameters using uni- and multivariable statistics. Compared to aIgA-SVV patients, the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in non-IgA-SVV patients. Serum C3 levels and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration observed in non-IgA-SVV patients were significantly lower compared to aIgA-SVV patients. Laboratory-based evidence for proteinuria and haematuria was significantly more common in patients with aIgA SVV. Only in patients with aIgA-SVV, proteinuria and haematuria significantly correlated with systemic immune-inflammation biomarkers. In patients with aIgA-SVV, higher LDH and CRP were strong independent predictors for the presence of proteinuria and proteinuria. In patients with non-IgA-SVV, female sex was a protective factor for proteinuria, while skin lesions on the upper extremities proved to be a significant independent predictor of haematuria. We detected several clinical and laboratory differences between patients with aIgA-SVV and non-IgA-SVV. In both groups, distinct predictors for renal involvement could be observed indicating that aIgA-SVV and non-IgA-SVV are very similar conditions but do not appear to present the same entity.

EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS WITHOUT ANY PERIPHERAL EOSINOPHILIA

EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS WITHOUT ANY PERIPHERAL EOSINOPHILIA

Expert perspectives on pathological findings in vasculitis.

Pathological findings are important in the diagnosis of vasculitis. However, due to the rarity of the disease, standard textbooks usually devote only a few pages to this topic, and this makes it difficult for clinicians not specializing in vasculitis to fully understand the pathological findings in vasculitis. To address the paucity of information, we present representative pathological findings in vasculitis classified in the 2012 Revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides (CHCC2012). The CHCC2012 classifies 26 vasculitides into seven categories: (1) large-vessel vasculitis, (2) medium-vessel vasculitis, (3) small-vessel vasculitis, including antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and immune complex small-vessel vasculitis, (4) variable-vessel vasculitis, (5) single-organ vasculitis, (6) vasculitis associated with systemic disease, and (7) vasculitis associated with probable aetiology. Moreover, representative pathological findings of vasculitis-related diseases and non-inflammatory vasculopathy not mentioned in the CHCC2012 are also presented. This will be useful for clinicians to refer to typical pathological findings of vasculitis in daily practice.

Reclassification of previously diagnosed GPA patients using the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria.

This study applied the 2022 criteria for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) proposed by the ACR and EULAR (the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria) to Korean patients with previously diagnosed GPA to investigate the number of patients who could be reclassified as having GPA. Sixty-five patients with GPA, who met the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides and the 2007 European Medicines Agency algorithm for GPA, were included in this study. They were reclassified based on the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria. Of the 65 patients, 48 patients (73.8%) were reclassified as having GPA. A patient could not be reclassified as having GPA if the patient did not have a total score of 5 despite granulomas on biopsy or clear GPA surrogate markers. Among the 17 patients unclassified as having GPA, 16 patients were reclassified as having MPA and one as having unclassifiable vasculitis, and furthermore, 94.1% of them harboured MPO-ANCA (or perinuclear (P)-ANCA). The concordance rate between the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for GPA and the previous criteria in patients with previously diagnosed GPA was 73.8%. Although the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria are the product of the most advanced methodologic process, it should be noted that there were some consequences of distorting the CHCC definition, and further discussion is required, especially with respect to the weightage of the items.

Disease Severity and Response to Induction Therapy in Hispanic Patients With Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-Associated Vasculitis-Related Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage.

ObjectivesWe examined the response to induction therapy of Hispanic patients with antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV)-related diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH). This study aimed to determine the severity of disease at presentation and the response to induction therapy in our patient population.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of Hispanic patients hospitalized with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis between October 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. We identified 98 Hispanic patients hospitalized with AAV and 19 admitted with AAV-related DAH. The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) was obtained from all patients on presentation.ResultsBased on the 2012 Revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides, 12 patients met the diagnostic criteria for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and seven met the criteria for diagnosing granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). All patients received methylprednisolone therapy. Induction therapy consisted of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (n=3), cyclophosphamide plus plasmapheresis (PLEX) (n=1), rituximab induction therapy (n=8), and rituximab induction plus plasmapheresis (n=6), and one patient received one dose of cyclophosphamide followed by rituximab plus plasmapheresis. The average BVAS was 25.53 at presentation. Survival at six months included 67% (n=2) treated with cyclophosphamide alone, 75% (n=6) treated with rituximab alone, and 50% (n=3) treated with rituximab plus PLEX. The patient who received an initial loading dose of cyclophosphamide followed by rituximab plus PLEX did survive for six months; however, the patient treated with cyclophosphamide plus PLEX did not have early survival.ConclusionsHispanic patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis present with a more severe disease burden at presentation based on BVAS. Approximately 37% of our patient population had early death (death at <6 months) despite adhering to the standard of care for induction therapy. Due to the more significant disease burden at presentation, it is vital to include ethnic minorities in large clinical trials to help improve outcomes in these patient populations.

Frequency of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Vasculitides: An Observational Study Using Data From the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database.

Information on immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced vasculitides is limited, and predictors for this condition have not been identified. Therefore, we have examined the frequency of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced vasculitides by analyzing the data recorded in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. Data from April 2004 to March 2020 were extracted, and vasculitides as an immune-related adverse event was defined according to the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides. Adverse event signals were recognized as significant when the reporting odds ratio estimates and lower limits of the corresponding 95% confidence intervals exceeded 1. The use of nivolumab showed a significant signal for vasculitides. Furthermore, significant signals of polymyalgia rheumatica were found when the patients were treated with nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab. In addition, the frequencies of nivolumab- and pembrolizumab-induced polymyalgia rheumatica were higher in patients aged ≥70 years and female patients, respectively. Polymyalgia rheumatica was reported in 38 patients treated with nivolumab; 31 (82%) of these were either in recovery or in remission. Further, polymyalgia rheumatica was reported in 17 patients treated with pembrolizumab; 13 (76%) of these were in recovery or remission, while three (18%) were not. Polymyalgia rheumatica was reported in 12 patients treated with ipilimumab; seven (58%) of these were in recovery or remission. Our study highlights that careful monitoring for the symptom of PMR (e.g., bilateral pain in shoulder and pelvic girdles) is required when the patients are aged >70 years and have been treated with nivolumab and when the patients are women and have been treated with pembrolizumab.

Plasmapheresis for systemic vasculitis.

Systemic vasculitides include a variety of, and numerous diseases. In 2012, the International CHAPEL HILL Consensus Conference (CHCC2012) led to a major reorganization of the classification of vasculitis, and this is still in wide use today. Although the results of plasmapheresis for individual diseases have been sometimes shown, there are few systematic reviews that discuss the effects along with vasculitis classification. Therefore, we will discuss the efficacy and the latest evidence for each vasculitis according to the CHCC 2012 classification in this review. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the estimation of plasmapheresis in each of the vasculitides, with a particular focus on small vasculitides, which have recently discussed frequently. For some time now, plasma exchange therapy (PEX) has been frequently used and is expected to be effective in some diseases, most of which are included in small vessel vasculitides. In particular, data showing efficacy have been accumulated for immune complex vasculitis, and the recommendation seems to be high. For instance, anti‐GBM nephritis, concomitant use of PEX is essential and strongly recommended. On the other hand, for ANCA‐related vasculitis among small vessel vasculitis, RCTs have recently shown negative results. In particular, the PEXIVAS trial statistically showed that PEX has no potential to reduce the mortality and renal death in AAV, but the ASFA, ACR, and KDIGO guidelines following this trial all regard PEX as salvage therapy or selective treatment for severe cases. As plasmapheresis is often performed in combination with other therapies, it is difficult to evaluate to clarify its efficacy on its own, and this predisposition may be pronounced in vasculitis, a rare disease. Although statistically significant differences are not apparent, the diseases that show a trend toward efficacy may possibly include treatment‐sensitive subgroups. Further analysis is expected in the future.

Application of the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for microscopic polyangiitis to patients with previously diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis.

This study applied the 2022 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (the 2022 ACR/EULAR) criteria for microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) to patients with previously diagnosed MPA as per the 2007 European Medicines Agency algorithm (the 2007 EMA algorithm) and the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature of vasculitides (the 2012 CHCC definitions) The concordance rate between the new and old criteria was investigated. This study included 117 patients with MPA, and the new criteria were applied to these patients. MPA could be classified when the total score is ≥5. The median age was 64.0 years. The concordance rate between the new and old criteria reached 96.6%. Four patients with previously diagnosed MPA were unclassified. Of these, three patients without myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) (or perinuclear [P]-ANCA) were not reclassified as having MPA according to the new criteria, despite histopathological findings that were suggestive of MPA based on both the 2007 EMA algorithm and the 2012 CHCC definitions. Conversely, three of four patients with both MPO-ANCA (or P-ANCA) and proteinase 3 (PR3)- ANCA (or cytoplasmic [C]-ANCA) were reclassified as having both MPA and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) simultaneously according to the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for MPA and GPA. In the new criteria, excessively high score was assigned to MPO-ANCA (or P-ANCA) and MPA-specific histopathological findings were not considered. Hence, the 2007 EMA algorithm and the 2012 CHCC definitions can be applied as additional criteria to complex cases.

Comparison of the 2022 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis with Previous Criteria.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises group of small vessel vasculitides, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). In 2022, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) jointly proposed new classification criteria for AAV (the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria). In this review, we briefly summarize the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for GPA, MPA, and EGPA, and introduce our clinical experience with applying them to patients who were previously diagnosed with AAV based on three criteria: firstly, the classification criteria for GPA and EGPA proposed by the ACR in 1990; secondly, the algorithm for the classification of AAV and polyarteritis nodosa proposed by the European Medicines Agency algorithm in 2007 (the 2007 EMA algorithm); and thirdly, the revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference nomenclature of vasculitides in 2012 (the 2012 CHCC definitions). We found that concordance rate was highest in patients with MPA (96.6%), followed by those with EGPA (86.3%) and GPA (73.8%). In addition, compared to previous criteria, we noted several issues of the undervalued or overvalued items in the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria for classifying AAV and provided several suggestions. To increase the diagnostic accuracy and reduce the discordance rate among the new and previous criteria for AAV, we suggest that the previous criteria should be considered together with the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria when applying the classification criteria for AAV to patients suspected of AAV.

Debatable aspects of systemic angiitis and autoinfl ammatory diseases

The new data about immune-infl ammatory rheumatic diseases pathogenesis with the participation of the processes of autoimmunity and autoinfl ammation attract attention to the heterogeneity of systemic angiitis, their nomenclature, classifi cation, pathogenesis and the approaches to the therapy. Recommendations of the second International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC2012) and EULAR recommendation (2016, 2018) regarding diagnostics and treatment of SA are discussed. The data of 141 patients with various forms of SA and 18 patients with the diseases, which relate to the group of autoinfl ammatory processes as well as the retrospective analysis of 130 patients with the hyperimmunoglobulinemia E are given.

Significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity in patients with systemic sclerosis: a single-centre pilot study in Korea.

We investigated whether antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity at diagnosis may be associated with the cross-sectional clinical features at diagnosis and predicting all-cause mortality during follow-up in Korean patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In addition, we assessed the incidence of SSc and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) overlap syndrome in patients with ANCA positivity. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and laboratory features through the medical records of 177 SSc patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. SSc was classified by the 2013 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria. AAV was classified by the 2007 European Medicine Agency algorithms and the 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides. The median age was 52 years, and 23 patients were males. The detection rate of ANCA in Korean patients with SSc was 20.3%. Unlike a previous study, ANCA positivity at diagnosis was significantly associated with neither the cross-sectional clinical and laboratory variables at diagnosis nor the rate of all-cause mortality during follow-up in Korean patients with SSc. However, three female patients (8.3%) with ANCA could be classified as having microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) during follow-up. No significant associations of ANCA positivity with the cross-section clinical features or all-cause mortality during follow-up were observed in this study. But, given that 3 of 36 SSc patients with ANCA were classified as having AAV based on the histological confirmation, we suggest that physicians should consider recommending a biopsy when AAV is strongly suspected in SSc patients with ANCA.

Clinical significance of anti-phospholipid antibodies in Henoch Schönlein purpura

Background: Henoch Schönlein purpura also known as IgA vasculitis is described histologically by IgA deposition in the blood vessel walls and presents with kidney involvement, palpable purpura, arthralgia, and abdominal pain. Our study aims to evaluate the association between anti-phospholipid antibody, anti-cardiolipin antibody, anti-beta(2) glycoprotein 1 antibody and Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies and IgA vasculitis. Treatment response with intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide was also studied based on resolution of antibody titer.Methods: We conducted an observational study in three Rheumatology clinics at Ahmedabad, India. Data was collected for a period of 6 months. Diagnosis of IgA vasculitis was determined based on the International Chapel hill consensus conference 2012. Disease activity was assessed based on antibody titer, histological grading and through a pre-determined clinical form to assess objective clinical symptoms. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significantResults: Study evaluated antibody titer of 178 patients. Sixty one percent of the patient's had positive anti-phospholipid antibody titer with predominant antibody subtype as IgG. Inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patient having anti-phospholipid antibody titer. Anti-phospholipid antibody was present in 100 percent patients who had vascular thrombosis. IgG subtype of anti-cardiolipin antibody were found in 60 percent of the patients with renal complication.Conclusions: Anti-phospholipid antibody have a close association with IgA vasculitis. Anti-phospholipid antibody has a significant role in mounting inflammatory response and vascular thrombosis. Combination treatment of intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide found to be more effective in resolution of titer

Localized Forms of Vasculitis.

Purpose of ReviewTo provide an updated review on epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic assessment, treatment, and prognosis of localized vasculitis, following the 2012 Revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature on single-organ vasculitis.Recent FindingsLocalized, single-organ vasculitides encompass a group of rare conditions in which there is no evidence of concomitant systemic vasculitis. Most data on this topic derives from case reports and small case series. Although some aspects of these diseases, such as clinical manifestations and histologic findings, have already been extensively investigated, there is still a lack of robust data concerning the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and treatment.SummaryLocalized vasculitides may have a wide range of clinical features depending on the organ affected. The inflammatory process may have a multifocal/diffuse or unifocal distribution. Diagnosis is usually based on histopathology findings and exclusion of systemic vasculitis, which may frequently pose a challenge. Further research on treatment is warranted.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis is a group of clinicopathological entities involving inflammation of the blood vessel walls. The different forms of vasculitis may vary in terms of aetiology, pathogenesis, type, and calibre of vessel involved, type of inflammation, preferential organ distribution, clinical manifestations, genetic predisposition, and demographic characteristics. The classification most widely used currently is based on the nominal definitions proposed by the International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC) in its 2012 revision. The aetiology of vasculitis is still not fully understood, despite recent advances in the study of genetics and pathogenesis. Due to the variability of vasculitis, there is no single, uniform diagnostic method. Diagnosis of vasculitis is challenging in most cases. However, a detailed clinical history, careful physical examination and appropriate laboratory tests from the information obtained from them are necessary in all types of vasculitis to establish a correct diagnosis, its probable date and manner of onset, the organs or systems affected and the extent of disease.

Enfermedad de Kawasaki y vasculitis de pequeño vaso

Kawasaki disease is a vasculitis that affects medium-sized vessels, especially the coronary arteries and children under 5 years of age, and is accompanied by mucocutaneous lesions and adenopathy. There are established criteria for classifying the disease. Treatment should be early and is indicated when these criteria are met based on the combination of immunoglobulins and acetylsalicylic acid. Small vessel vasculitis, according to the International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference includes ANCA-associated vasculitis and immune complex deposition vasculitis. The latter group includes IgA vasculitis, cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis, hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis and anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody vasculitis. Diagnosis in most cases requires evidence of small vessel vasculitis on biopsy, but for anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody vasculitis this is not essential. The severity of the manifestations of each will determine treatment. Anti-glomerular basement membrane vasculitis requires intensive treatment from onset based on cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange. In all the other entities the treatment regimen depends on the severity patterns. The prognosis is also different, IgA vasculitis and urticarial vasculitis tend to have a better prognosis, and cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis and especially anti- glomerular basement membrane antibody vasculitis have a worse prognosis.

Zapalenie tętnic Takayasu — obraz kliniczny, diagnostyka i leczenie

Systemic vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases of a not fully understood etiology. The common feature is the development of immune-mediated inflammation in the vessel walls, which can lead to the weakening of the wall and formation of aneurysms or occlusion of the lumen, resulting in tissue ischemia. Skin lesions may be present in many conditions of this group. In small and medium vessel vasculitis, the skin may be directly affected by the pathological process. On the other hand, in large vessel vasculitis dermatological symptoms develop secondarily to the involvement of larger vessels. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of Takayasu arteritis (TA), classified according to the International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference from 2012 in the group of large vessel vasculitis, are discussed in this article. The aim of the paper is to draw attention to the cutaneous lesions that may raise suspicion of systemic vasculitis. In patients with TA, Raynaud’s phenomenon (especially unilateral), finger necrosis, digital clubbing, erythema nodosum-like lesions or pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions, erythema induratum, purpuric or necrotic eruptions, livedo reticularis and superficial phlebitis may be observed.

Olbrzymiokomórkowe zapalenie tętnic — obraz kliniczny, diagnostyka i leczenie

A systemic vasculitis is a diverse group of disorders, in which the immune-mediated inflammatory process primarily affects the walls of blood vessels. Giant cell arteritis (GCA), classified according to the International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (2012) in the group of large vessel vasculitis, is a condition of a not fully understood aetiology, which predominantly affects women over 50 years of age. The initial phase of the disease is characterized by unspecific general symptoms. The paper aims to highlight the dermatological manifestations of the condition. GCA should be suspected in patients with erythema and oedema of the skin above the temporal artery and macular/bullous eruption or hair loss in the temporal area. In GCA, scalp necrosis, sometimes extensive and bilateral, as well as glossitis with bullous eruption or necrosis, may also occur. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids (CS) should be started as soon as the suspicion of GCA is raised to avoid irreversible complications, including permanent blindness.

Thai Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: Outcomes and Risk Factors for Mortality.

Patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) have an increased risk of premature death. Different subtypes, predictors, and ethnicities may affect the overall survival. However, the overall survival of Thai AAV patients has not been reported. We examined the mortality and prognosis of these patients. This medical record review study included adult AAV patients, admitted to Songklanagarind Hospital from 2007 to 2017. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis was diagnosed according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria or 2012 revised International Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides. Follow-up data were collected until June 2018. Prognostic factors and overall survival were analyzed. Among 57 AAV patients, mean (SD) age was 49.3 (16.1) years. Microscopic polyangiitis was the predominant diagnosis (42%). Kidneys (67%) and lungs (65%) were the 2 most affected organs. Initial Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) greater than 20 was found in 61% of patients. Corticosteroids were the main drugs, and 58% received cyclophosphamide during the induction phase. Overall mean survival time was 38.8 (42.2) months. Patient survival was 91% and 82% at 1 and 6 months, respectively. One-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 63%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that initial BVAS of greater than 20, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio greater than 5.8, and need for invasive ventilator were significant predictors of mortality. Initial BVAS of greater than 20 was the only predictor of death in multivariate analyses (odds ratio, 4.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-17.63; p = 0.048). The mortality rate of Thai AAV patients is high and strongly related to high disease activity. An early recognition and referral system are warranted to improve outcomes.

Сutaneous vasculitis: classification, diagnosis and differential diagnosis (part 1)

Cutaneous vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by inflammation of the blood vessel wall of the skin. The variety of cutaneous vasculitis, their clinical similarity, lack of clear diagnostic criteria and common terminology cause an extremely complex process of diagnosis of this group of diseases. A dermatologist is often the first specialist to diagnose vasculitis. Currently there is no single "monodisciplinary" classification of v ascular damage, there is no generally accepted terminology and classification of cutaneous vasculitis. In domestic dermatovenerology, vasculitis is classified according to the morphological elements of the skin rash, and not by etiology and pathogenesis. This makes it difficult for different specialists to understand the diagnosis and maintain continuity in the management of patients.&#x0D; The article presents the nomenclature of vasculitis of the 2012 revised international Chapel Hill consensus conference nomenclature of vasculitides, supplemented by organ-specific cutaneous vasculitis, describes the pathomorphological and clinical manifestations of this group of dermatoses, summarizes information about modern treatment tactics.