ANCA-associated vasculitis is a systematic vascular inflammation that can affect all organs. The inflammation is characterized by autoimmunity and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.
The clinical course of the disease can vary widely. Thus, three different diseases belong to the ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is characterized by severe asthmatic complaints and vascular changes that affect the skin, nervous system, heart and other organs.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis affects the respiratory tract, especially in the upper area of the nose, paranasal sinuses, and larynx, as well as the kidneys.
The microscopic polyangiitis is closely related to the previous one with the main distinguishing criterion of the granuloma. The infestation of the upper respiratory tract is rather rare, but the kidneys and lungs are often affected.
In the initial stage, the symptoms are mostly localized and the different vasculites are very similar. In addition to the asthmatic symptoms, there are other rather unspecific symptoms such as weight loss, fever, cough, night sweats, joint complaints, or sinusitis.
In the further course of the symptoms vary greatly depending on the affected organ system. Thus, joint pain, emotional disorders, heart stumbling, (bloody) a cough, shortness of breath, salivary gland swelling, barking and crusting in the nose, eye inflammation, double vision, visual disturbances and much more occur.
The peak of the disease is at the age of 60-70 years but it does not preclude its occurrence at a very young age.