Prednisolone Dose, Poorer Kidney Health Linked to Severe COVID-19

Poorer kidney function and relatively high doses of the corticosteroid prednisolone — possibly indicating active disease — can increase the risk of severe COVID-19 for people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a Swedish study suggests. “Our findings highlight risks and suggest that more attention should be given to optimal AAV treatment in…

Poor lung function and high levels of inflammatory biomarkers in the bloodstream were found to be risk factors for acute exacerbation — an episode of sudden symptom worsening — in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated interstitial lung disease. That’s according to a new study, “Acute exacerbation…

Tavneos (avacopan) has been approved as an add-on therapy for adults in Switzerland with severe, active microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) or granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA), the two main types of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Following the decision by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, the launch of Tavneos is expected…

The buildup of immune molecules in the kidneys of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients appears to be linked to some symptoms and signs of kidney disease, but not severe ones, and it cannot predict how kidney disease will progress, a study reported. No significant differences in end-stage kidney disease was seen…

Though a new diagnosis can be overwhelming, there’s no doubt it’s educational. Even after years of living with vasculitis, there’s still more to research and experience. Once the immediate danger has passed, there’s more luxury of time to relax into a chronic illness lifestyle. As we learn about…

Both the form of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and the specific types of disease-causing antibody a patient has can influence the clinical presentation — the physical signs and symptoms a person experiences — and prognosis of the autoimmune disease, a new study reported. Using a large U.S. database of AAV…

Surgical removal of an inflammatory lung lesion led to remission of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) — a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis — in a 77-year-old woman in Japan, without the use of immunosuppressive therapy, a case report describes. In cases of GPA without severe lesions, a “reevaluation of the…

People with ANCA vasculitis (AAV) in long-term remission have increased arterial stiffness, a sign of cardiovascular disease, a study reports. The mechanisms underlying acute cardiovascular disease risk in AAV were associated with endothelin-1, a molecule that promotes blood vessel narrowing. In the placebo-controlled study, blocking endothelin-1 receptors was found…

Elevated levels of certain pro-inflammatory proteins were found in the bloodstream and urine of people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and correlated with disease severity, a study shows. Findings suggest that two of these proteins — S100A8/A9 and S100A12 — from the S100 family of proteins, play a role in…

The Labor Day weekend was a good time to be alive. As an extrovert with a few days off work, I packed the calendar full of social activities, parties, and meals with friends. School and a busy work season are just around the corner, so I felt drawn to enjoy…