Combining biopsy-based scores can better predict kidney prognosis

A combination of two standardized scores of kidney damage can accurately predict the prognosis of renal disease in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study indicates. This composite measure — the renal risk score (RRS) and the renal vascular lesions (RVL) score — “may serve as a new predictor…

Immunosuppressants may help prevent subglottic stenosis — a condition wherein part of the windpipe becomes tight — from returning in people with a type of ANCA-related vasculitis called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a small Italian study suggests. The study, “Role of systemic immunosuppression on subglottic stenosis in granulomatosis…

A blood marker, called C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR), may predict and help monitor disease activity in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a small study in Turkey. This is important in clinical practice because “close monitoring, early recognition, and timely treatment of disease activity may limit…

Two types of self-reactive antibodies, called anti-HMGB1 and anti-moesin antibodies, are present at significantly higher levels in the blood of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients relative to healthy people and those with other autoimmune diseases, a study shows. The levels of these antibodies are also linked to how AAV manifested…

About 1 in 10 people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) failed to achieve complete remission at three months after starting induction treatment with rituximab, according to a small study in France. Poor responders were more likely to have symptoms in a specific area of the body — a localized form…

A new statistical model that considers age, disease type, patterns of organ involvement, and lab findings may help predict long-term survival in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) better than available prognostic systems, a study suggests. The study “Development and internal validation of a model to predict long-term survival of ANCA…

Smoking at any time during one’s lifetime leads to more advanced disease and worse prognosis for people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a 32-year study in Poland. Specifically, current or past smoking is linked to higher disease activity at diagnosis, and a greater need for kidney replacement and…

Despite high response rates to treatment strategies to reduce ear, nose, and throat involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), relapses are common, a review study reports. The study, “Systemic and Local Medical or Surgical Therapies for Ear, Nose and/or Throat Manifestations in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Literature Review,” was…

Among the 56 reported cases of new or relapsed ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, more than three-quarters achieved remission with prompt treatment, according to a recent review study. SARS-COV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. AAV after vaccination may be related to several different mechanisms, including inflammation,…

Measuring neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) — a type of antimicrobial web produced by immune neutrophil cells — induced by blood samples could be a useful way of monitoring the course of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study shows. Compared with blood from people without the disease, blood from AAV patients…