musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Overview of Vasculitis
Key Points
Vasculitis can be a primary disorder or secondary to other causes. Vasculitis tends to affect small-, medium-, or large-sized vessels, each with certain patterns of organ involvement. Clinical manifestations can be systemic and/or organ-specific, depending on how vessels are affected. Do blood tests, imaging studies, and tissue biopsy as indicated to determine the cause of vasculitis (including disorders such as infections and cancer), extent of organ involvement, and severity of disease. Treat with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Address increased risks of infection and osteoporosis caused by vasculitis treatment with monitoring and/or prophylactic treatments. 