What is Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Explanation of medical terms and concepts (GPA)
Symptoms Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
- Runny nose/nasal congestion
- Nosebleeds
- Sinus pain
- Ear pain/hearing loss
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite/weight loss
- Eye problems
- Skin sores
- Night sweats
- Numbness in the fingers, toes, or limbs
- Kidney problems (Note: Kidney disease can be present without symptoms; therefore, patients with vasculitis should have regular urine tests.)
When to see a doctor
Causes Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Risk factors Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Complications Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
- Hearing loss
- Skin scarring
- Kidney damage
- A loss of height in the bridge of the nose (saddling) caused by weakened cartilage
- A blood clot forming in one or more deep veins, usually in your leg
Diagnosis Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and discuss any past medical history He or she will perform a physical exam take your medical history and may also order laboratory tests
Lab tests
Blood tests can check for:
- When people have a high level of C-reactive protein in their blood or a high sedimentation rate it is known as a sed rate
- Antibodies that appear in the blood of most people who have active granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) are called Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
- Anemia is common in people with this disease
- Signs that your kidneys aren't filtering waste products from your blood
Urine tests can reveal whether your urine contains red blood cells or has too much protein that might indicate that the disease is affecting your kidneys
Imaging tests
X-rays of the chest can help determine which blood vessels and organs are affected They can also help your doctor monitor whether you are responding to treatment
Biopsy
This is a procedure in which your doctor removes a small sample of tissue from the affected area of your body A biopsy can confirm that you have granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Treatment Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
and possibly several physicians depending on which organs are affected — to monitor your condition
Medications
Corticosteroids such as prednisone help to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation of the blood vessels Common side effects include weight gain risk of infection and osteoporosis
Other drugs that suppress your immune system include cyclophosphamide azathioprine (Azasan Imuran) mycophenolate (CellCept) and methotrexate (Trexall) Rituximab (Rituxan) is another option for treating granulomatosis with polyangiitis It's given by injection and often is combined with other medications Corticosteroids are a group of drugs that are used to reduce inflammation Corticosteroids are available in pill form and as medication for skin conditions such as eczema The corticosteroid drug prednisone is also used by veterinarians to treat dogs cats horses and other animals
If you are on a number of medications you might need to remain on some of these drugs long term to prevent relapse These include rituximab methotrexate azathioprine and mycophenolate
Immune-suppressing drugs can cause increased risk of infection Cyclophosphamide can cause nausea diarrhea and hair loss Your doctor may prescribe other drugs to help prevent side effects from prescribed treatments
Plasma exchange
Also known as plasmapheresis this treatment removes the liquid portion of your blood removing disease-producing substances You will receive fresh plasma or a protein made by your liver that allows your body to produce new plasma in people who have very serious granulomatosis Polyangiitis plasmapheresis helps recover the kidneys
Coping and support
When you are diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis it is difficult to accept You might feel stress about possible relapse or damage the disease can cause Here are some suggestions for coping:
- Understand your condition.Learning about granulomatosis with polyangiitis might help you deal with complications medication side effects and relapses You should also talk to your doctor and perhaps a counselor or medical social worker
- Maintain a strong support system.Family and friends can help you cope and it's also helpful to talk with other people who are living with the condition Ask a member of your health care team about connecting with a support group
Preparing for your appointment
You'll likely start by seeing your doctor first (the primary care physician) then go to a specialist who might be the one to diagnose you
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment
What you can do
Do not make the appointment without asking if you will be required to restrict your diet
You shouldn't get a medical test or X-ray at a second office or hospital without asking the other doctor to send you their results and X-rays Don’t wait until you get home to find out that your test result is not what was expected Take the material with you so it gets to your doctor immediately
Get a referral if your insurance company requires it Be sure a letter of referral has been sent to the doctor or bring it with you
Make a list of:
- Your symptoms and when they began
- Key personal medical information,including any recent health problems you have had as well as major stresses that you've faced
- Medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including doses
- Questions to ask your doctor
Consider taking someone with you to the appointment who can help you remember the information
For questions to ask your doctor about Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis include
- It’s a pretty hard to resolve a conflicting situation
- What tests will I need? How do I prepare for them?
- Is my condition temporary?
- What treatment do you recommend?
- What are some other approaches to resolving conflicts?
- How long will treatment last?
- I have another medical condition How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Do you have any printed materials? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask questions including:
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional? (As an example have you had a migraine for the last three months or just a few days?)
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Have you been running a fever?
- What if anything seems to help with your symptoms?
- What if anything appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Do you smoke?
What you can do in the meantime
If your symptoms are getting worse tell your primary care doctor so that he or she can try to get you to a specialist as quickly as possible
General summary
(GPA) also known as Wegener's granulomatosis is a condition that affects blood vessels and the lungs The disease is most common in adults aged 50 or older but can occur at any age While about half of all patients are male it does have a genetic component so there may be an increased risk if others in your family have developed the condition Both environmental factors and genetics likely play a role in the development of GPA; however the exact cause remains unknown (Source:
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis) is a rare incurable but treatable inflammatory disease of small and medium-sized arteries It damages the lungs and airways in addition to other organs such as the kidneys heart and nervous system Although people with GPA can live for many years after diagnosis about 20% die within five years of it
granulomatosis with polyangiitis anca
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is also known as Wegener's granulomatosis It is a rare complex and potentially life-threatening disease of the small blood vessels (the microvasculature) that leads to inflammation in various parts of the body Gp affects both men and women equally and most commonly occurs in adults between 30 and 60 years old It usually involves the respiratory tract and kidneys but can affect virtually any organ system The average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is 3 years; it has been found that earlier diagnosis results in better outcomes
granulomatosis with polyangiitis life expectancy
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare condition affecting only 5 out of 100,000 people It's an autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation in various organs such as the kidneys skin and lungs Symptoms depend on what organs are affected by granulomatosis with polyangiitis but they usually include fever low blood pressure and a rash
granulomatosis with polyangiitis pathology
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis) is a rare form of vasculitis that attacks small and medium size blood vessels but may also affect the respiratory tract or joints It has been estimated that in the United States it affects 75 people per million annually Symptoms are most common in middle-aged adults men more than women Peripheral symptoms remain nonspecific until kidney involvement develops which then occurs in 40% to 50% of patients at 5 years from onset of symptoms If a liver biopsy is performed and cytop
How long can you live with granulomatosis with polyangiitis?
You have a chronic disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) also known as Wegener's granulomatosis Your doctor will closely monitor the disease and adjust your treatment plan accordingly including medications and special pulmonary function tests
What is the survival rate for Wegener\'s granulomatosis?
Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare disease that occurs when chronic inflammatory changes in the body are caused by an abnormal immune response involving the lungs and kidneys Wegener's granulomatosis affects approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people in the U.S. with an estimated one death per year per 200,000 Americans The average age of onset for Wegener's granulomatosis is 40 years old although children can also be affected by this rare condition Surgical excision of involved organs is highly effective at controlling this disease
Is granulomatosis with polyangiitis curable?
Since this is a relatively rare disease it is difficult to find solid data about prognosis However the information available indicates that granulomatosis with polyangiitis tends to be a progressive disease so it does not go away on its own or without treatment Some people do improve once they start treatment but for others the condition may never go away completely
granulomatosis with polyangiitis treatment
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis also called Wegener’s granulomatosis is one of a group of inflammatory conditions that involve the blood vessels This condition can affect any organ or tissue in the body and is typically caused by an abnormal immune system response to an infection