Rheumatoid vasculitis

Rheumatoid Vasculitis

Rheumatoid vasculitis (pronunciation: /ˌruːməˈtɔɪd ˌvæskjʊˈlaɪtɪs/) is a severe complication of Rheumatoid Arthritis, characterized by inflammation and damage to blood vessels (vasculitis) in individuals with long-standing, severe disease.

Etymology

The term "Rheumatoid vasculitis" is derived from the Greek words "rheumatismos" (meaning "to flow") and "vasculum" (meaning "small vessel") with the suffix "-itis" (meaning "inflammation").

Symptoms

Symptoms of Rheumatoid vasculitis can vary greatly depending on the organs affected and the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include skin ulcers, digital gangrene, nerve damage, eye inflammation, and general systemic symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid vasculitis is often challenging due to its variable presentation. It is typically based on clinical findings, laboratory tests, and sometimes, tissue biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment typically involves high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. In severe cases, biological agents or cyclophosphamide may be used.

Related Terms

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Vasculitis
• Corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Cyclophosphamide

See Also

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Polymyalgia rheumatica

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Rheumatoid vasculitis
• Wikipedia's article - Rheumatoid vasculitis

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