News

Renal Risk Score a better predictor of long-term kidney function

The Renal Risk Score may be a better histopathologic classification model than Berden for predicting long-term loss of kidney function in people with ANCA-related vasculitis (AAV) who have glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys’ filtering units, a study finds. Incorporating the renal risk score into clinical decision-making could help…

Urine, blood biomarkers may help track AAV activity: Study

Biomarkers measured in blood or urine may help track disease activity and organ damage in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a systematic review study. AAV is an autoimmune disorder in which self-reactive antibodies called anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) attack the body’s own neutrophils — a type of…

In EGPA, Fasenra outperforms Nucala at reducing steroid use

Fasenra (benralizumab), which is approved for a rare type of asthma, and Nucala (mepolizumab) were similarly effective at inducing remission in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), but more people on Fasenra were able to stop using oral corticosteroids (OCS), with fewer monthly injections. That’s according to final published…

Occupational silica exposure could trigger MPA in some cases: Report

Occupational exposure to silica, one of the most common minerals in the earth’s crust, may lead to microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) — a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis — particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases, a case report suggests. Silica, found in sand and rocks, is known to…

Study in Japan shows AAV relapses more frequent in summer

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) relapses occur more frequently during the summer and spring, particularly for people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or with anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) antibodies, a study in Japan reports. More frequent nasal infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus during the summer in Japan may trigger inflammation…

Kidney involvement augurs worse ANCA-associated vasculitis outcome

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) that required dialysis or a kidney transplant was associated with an elevated risk of death among people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), compared to patients who didn’t develop the complication, research indicates. A kidney transplant was associated with better prognosis compared to dialysis. On kidney biopsies,…