Systemic vasculitis

The systemic vasculitides are sub-acute illnesses associated with signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation.

Vasculitis can affect virtually any organ system; many of these diseases have typical patterns of involvement that are recognisable by experienced clinicians.

The diagnostic value of a biopsy, performed early in the course of illness, cannot be overstated.

Drugs used to treat vasculitis depend on the severity of the clinical manifestations.

In its strictest sense, the term vasculitis denotes inflammation of a blood vessel, which is characterised by the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate and destruction of the vessel wall. Commonly, however, vasculitis refers to the systemic vasculitides, which are autoimmune disorders characterised by inflammation of blood vessels. The systemic vasculitides are a diverse group of disorders that demonstrate a wide range of organ involvement and clinical severity.