Clinical Presentation
The clinical presentation of vasculitis depends on the location and severity of inflammation. Some patients may only have symptoms in 1 organ, whereas other patients may experience inflammation in multiple organs (1). The typical signs and symptoms of both primary and secondary vasculitis are listed below in Table 1.
Table 1. Signs and symptoms of vasculitis (1-3).
Systemic Inflammation
- Fever
- Malaise
- Flu-like symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
Central Nervous System
- Headache
- Confusion
- Mental status changes
- Behavioral changes
- Seizure
- Stroke (rare)
Eyes
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Blurry vision
- Vision loss (rare)
Ears
- Tinnitus
- Otitis media
Nose
- Epistaxis
- Nasal inflammation
- Nasal ulceration
- Septal perforation (“saddle-nose deformity”)
Lower Respiratory Tract and Lung
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Hemoptysis
- Pulmonary infiltrates
- Alveolar hemorrhage
- Lung nodules
Cardiovascular System
- Hypertension
- Heart failure (rare)
- Angina (rare)
Kidneys
- Hematuria
- Glomerulonephritis
- Renal failure
Gastrointestinal Tract
- Oral ulcers
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Melena
- Bowel ischemia
Skin
- Palpable purpura (red or purple spots and patches)
- Ulcer
- Hives (rare)
- Gangrene (rare)
Muscle and Joints
- Myalgia
- Arthralgia
Peripheral Nervous System
- Paresthesia
- Dysesthesia
Table 1. Signs and symptoms of vasculitis (1-3).
Systemic Inflammation
- Fever
- Malaise
- Flu-like symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
Central Nervous System
- Headache
- Confusion
- Mental status changes
- Behavioral changes
- Seizure
- Stroke (rare)
Eyes
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Blurry vision
- Vision loss (rare)
Ears
- Tinnitus
- Otitis media
Nose
- Epistaxis
- Nasal inflammation
- Nasal ulceration
- Septal perforation (“saddle-nose deformity”)
Lower Respiratory Tract and Lung
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Hemoptysis
- Pulmonary infiltrates
- Alveolar hemorrhage
- Lung nodules
Cardiovascular System
- Hypertension
- Heart failure (rare)
- Angina (rare)
Kidneys
- Hematuria
- Glomerulonephritis
- Renal failure
Gastrointestinal Tract
- Oral ulcers
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Melena
- Bowel ischemia
Skin
- Palpable purpura (red or purple spots and patches)
- Ulcer
- Hives (rare)
- Gangrene (rare)
Muscle and Joints
- Myalgia
- Arthralgia
Peripheral Nervous System
- Paresthesia
- Dysesthesia
References
1. What are the signs and symptoms of vasculitis? [Internet]. Bethesda: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2011 [cited 2013 March 30]. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/vas/signs.html
2. Seo P., Stone J. The Antineutrophil cytoplasmic anti-body associated Vasculitides. Am J Med. 2004 Jul;117(1):39-50.
3. Jennete JC, Falk RJ. Medical progress: small vessel vasculitis. NEJM 1997 Nov;337:1512-1523.
2. Seo P., Stone J. The Antineutrophil cytoplasmic anti-body associated Vasculitides. Am J Med. 2004 Jul;117(1):39-50.
3. Jennete JC, Falk RJ. Medical progress: small vessel vasculitis. NEJM 1997 Nov;337:1512-1523.