Reflecting on the Benefits of Gratitude as a Vasculitis Patient

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…

A 65-year-old man developed granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a type of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), after receiving a stem cell transplant for another autoimmune condition, according to a case report. “[Our] case report suggests that [AAV] may develop in the setting of stem cell transplantation and must…

People with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) are more likely to report a greater range of symptoms than their doctors, a study that drew on patient- and physician-reported databases found, while showing similarities on other points, like relapse frequency. Given the importance of the patient perspective in both research and…

A man with granulomatosis with polyangiitis — a type of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) — and abnormally raised urine protein levels, a sign of kidney disease, has been described in a recent case report. Notably, urine protein levels usually are not significantly elevated in people with granulomatosis…

A subtype of antibody-producing B-cells was significantly higher in the bloodstream of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with active kidney involvement compared with those who were in remission and healthy individuals. These findings may help monitor disease progression, as well as provide insights into AAV development, the researchers noted. The…

Summer promises good weather, high spirits, and easy travel. There’s nothing like an old-fashioned road trip to capture the excitement and freedom of exploration. Though there might be a thunderstorm here and there, it’s tempting to get on the road and stay there till fall. For those of us with…

Many ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with skin lesions test negative for ANCA antibodies — proteins produced by the immune system that bind to white blood cells called neutrophils, ultimately triggering an autoimmune reaction. As a result, researchers contend that ANCA testing should not be used as the only criteria…