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Behçet's disease is a rare, systemic, form of vasculitis (or inflammation of the blood vessels)that often presents with mucous membrane ulceration, and ocular involvements. As a systemic disease, it also involves visceral organs such as the gastrointestin... moreBehçet's disease is a rare, systemic, form of vasculitis (or inflammation of the blood vessels)that often presents with mucous membrane ulceration, and ocular involvements. As a systemic disease, it also involves visceral organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. This syndrome can be fatal; death can be caused by complicated rupture of the vascular aneurysms, or severe neurological complications, and therefore immediate medical treatment is necessary.[ less
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Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, multisystem disease that can be life-threatening, debilitating, and difficult to diagnose. It is characterized by recurrent, potentially severe, and frightening episodes of inflammation of cartilaginous tissues. Al... moreRelapsing polychondritis is an uncommon, multisystem disease that can be life-threatening, debilitating, and difficult to diagnose. It is characterized by recurrent, potentially severe, and frightening episodes of inflammation of cartilaginous tissues. All types of cartilage may be involved, including the elastic cartilage of the ears and nose, the hyaline cartilage of peripheral joints, the fibrocartilage at axial sites, and the cartilage in the tracheobronchial tree. Relapsing polychondritis can also inflame other proteoglycan-rich structures, such as the eye, heart, blood vessels, and inner ear. Systemic symptoms (for example, fever, lethargy, and weight loss) are common, and vasculitis affecting skin or internal organs may occur. Patients can present with a wide array of painful symptoms that often pose major diagnostic dilemmas. Because no specific tests for it are available, relapsing polychondritis must be diagnosed on clinical grounds less
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Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), is a disease of the skin and other organs that most commonly affects children. In the skin, the disease causes palpable purpura (small hemorrhages); often with joint and abdominal pain. With kidney involvement, there may be... moreHenoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), is a disease of the skin and other organs that most commonly affects children. In the skin, the disease causes palpable purpura (small hemorrhages); often with joint and abdominal pain. With kidney involvement, there may be a loss of small amounts of blood and protein in the urine, but this usually goes unnoticed; in a small proportion of cases, the kidney involvement proceeds to chronic kidney disease. HSP is often preceded by an infection, such as pharyngitis.HSP is a systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) and is characterized by deposition of immune complexes containing the antibody IgA; the exact cause for this phenomenon is presently unknown. It usually resolves within several weeks and requires no treatment apart from symptom control, but may relapse in a third of the cases and cause irreversible kidney damage in about one in a hundred cases. less
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Cryoglobulinaemia is a medical condition in which the blood contains large amounts of cryoglobulins - proteins that become insoluble at reduced temperatures. Cryoglobulins typically precipitate at temperatures below normal body temperature (37 degrees Cel... moreCryoglobulinaemia is a medical condition in which the blood contains large amounts of cryoglobulins - proteins that become insoluble at reduced temperatures. Cryoglobulins typically precipitate at temperatures below normal body temperature (37 degrees Celsius) and will dissolve again if the blood is heated. Cryoglobulinemia can be associated with various diseases such as multiple myeloma and hepatitis C infection. less
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Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), more recently granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is a form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) that affects the nose, lungs, kidneys and other organs. Due to its end-organ damage, it is life-threatening and requires... moreWegener's granulomatosis (WG), more recently granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is a form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) that affects the nose, lungs, kidneys and other organs. Due to its end-organ damage, it is life-threatening and requires long-term immunosuppression Wegener's granulomatosis is part of a larger group of vasculitic syndromes, all of which feature an autoimmune attack by an abnormal type of circulating antibody termed ANCAs (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) against small and medium-size blood vessels less
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Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), is a syndrome with pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips. The pain can be very sudden, or can occur gradually over a period of time. It may be caused by an inflammatory condition of blood vessels, muscl... morePolymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), is a syndrome with pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips. The pain can be very sudden, or can occur gradually over a period of time. It may be caused by an inflammatory condition of blood vessels, muscle biopsies however are normal.Most PMR sufferers wake up in the morning with pain in their muscles; however, there have been cases in which the patient has developed the pain during the evenings. Patients who have PMR may also have temporal arteritis. PMR usually goes away within a year or two after treatment.PMR is usually treated with long courses of oral steroid. less
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PAN is a multisystem disease that may present with fever, sweats, weight loss, and severe muscle and joint aches/pains. PAN may develop in a subacute fashion, over several weeks or months. Patients may have nonspecific complaints such as fever, malaise, w... morePAN is a multisystem disease that may present with fever, sweats, weight loss, and severe muscle and joint aches/pains. PAN may develop in a subacute fashion, over several weeks or months. Patients may have nonspecific complaints such as fever, malaise, weight loss, anorexia, and abdominal pain. The disease can affect nearly any site in the body, but it has a predisposition for organs such as the skin, kidney, nerves, and gastrointestinal tract. Many patients with PAN have high blood pressure and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR). The presentation of PAN may also include skin abnormalities (rash, ulcers) and peripheral neuropathy (pain, the sensations of burning, tingling, or numbness, or weakness in a hand or foot). less
