Levels of the immune signaling molecule interleukin-21 (IL-21) and the cells that produce the protein were elevated in the blood of people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies, a study found. IL-21 levels also were linked to higher MPO levels and disease activity, suggesting its direct involvement in…
If you know me well, you know I’m a whiskey aficionado. Strong, smooth, spicy, sweet — I enjoy it all. When traveling, a bottle from a local distillery is usually the souvenir I choose to take home. There’s never been a time in my adult life when I didn’t drink.
Despite being in clinical remission based on physician evaluation, many people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) report experiencing ongoing disease symptoms, a study has found. Symptoms of pain and fatigue were the biggest indicators of active disease for patients in the study. These findings highlight the importance of considering…
I began this column for ANCA Vasculitis News one year ago this month. It’s been such a joy interacting with other patients who read and connect with my words. At first, the concept of writing once weekly seemed intimidating. How would I come up with a new topic every…
Limited exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and related drops in vitamin D levels — particularly over the winter months — may be linked to a greater risk of relapses among people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Ireland and the U.K., a data study found. But vitamin D status and…
People with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) may, in rare cases, develop dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart’s chambers to enlarge and become thinner, making it harder for it to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body, a recent case report shows. This case highlights the…
As a kid, my mom would make me write a thank-you note to anyone who gave me a gift. It was an attempt to teach me gratitude, but I hated writing in cursive, which made my hand cramp up. I thought the process horribly old-fashioned and tedious, but I did…
Undetectable blood levels of ANCAs within six months of remission induction treatment were associated with a lower risk of relapses over the next five years in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study showed. The presence or absence of disease-causing antibodies did not seem to impact the risk of…
ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) emerged as a side effect of levamisole given for years to treat a 15-year-old boy with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, according to a case report. “By reporting this case, we want to raise awareness among clinicians regarding a rare complication of treatment with Levamisole that is often…
In the world of chronic illness, everything seems to be viewed in terms of time. There’s no room for impatience when your body struggles with a long-term disease. If you make a change to your regimen for the good, such as an updated diet or exercise routine, it will…
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