Systemic Vasculitis - Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms and Signs

Patients usually present with systemic symptoms with single or multiorgan dysfunction. Common (and nonspecific) complaints include fatigue, weakness, fever, arthralgias, abdominal pain, hypertension, renal insufficiency, and neurologic dysfunction. The following symptoms should raise a strong suspicion of a vasculitis:

• Mononeuritis multiplex. Also known as asymmetric polyneuropathy is highly suggestive of vasculitis, since diabetes is the only other cause of this.

• Palpable purpura. If patients have this in isolation, it is most likely due to cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. If the purpura is in combination with systemic organ involvement, it is most likely to be Henoch-Schonlein purpura or microscopic polyarteritis.

• Pulmonary-renal syndrome. Patients with hemoptysis and renal involvement are likely to have Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, or anti-GBM disease (Goodpasture's syndrome).