Vasculitis Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Considerations

General Signs and Symptoms

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with vasculitis, according to the American Heart Association 1
Night sweats are a constitutional symptom observed in patients with vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a laboratory abnormality frequently observed in patients with vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is a laboratory abnormality frequently observed in patients with vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2
Presence of specific autoantibodies (e.g., ANCA) is a laboratory abnormality frequently observed in patients with vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1, 3

New-onset persistent localized headache, often in temporal area, is a symptom of Giant Cell Arteritis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2
Jaw and/or tongue claudication is a symptom of Giant Cell Arteritis, as noted by the American Heart Association 3
Acute visual symptoms (amaurosis fugax, visual loss, diplopia) are symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2
New onset or worsening limb claudication is a symptom of Takayasu Arteritis, as noted by the American Heart Association 3
Reduced or absent pulses is a symptom of Takayasu Arteritis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Blood pressure discrepancies between limbs is a symptom of Takayasu Arteritis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1

Hemoptysis is a pulmonary manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a pulmonary manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 4
Microscopic hematuria with dysmorphic red blood cells is a renal manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American College of Rheumatology 5
Red cell casts is a renal manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American College of Rheumatology 5
Moderate proteinuria (1-3 g/day) is a renal manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American College of Rheumatology 5
Rapidly declining kidney function is a renal manifestation of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American College of Rheumatology 5
Sinusitis is an ear, nose, and throat involvement of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 4
Nasal crusting is an ear, nose, and throat involvement of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Epistaxis is an ear, nose, and throat involvement of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Hearing loss is an ear, nose, and throat involvement of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1, 3

Headaches are a central nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Altered consciousness is a central nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Stroke is a central nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Seizures are a central nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Encephalopathy is a central nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as noted by the American Heart Association 1, 3
Mononeuritis multiplex is a peripheral nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 4
Paresis of extremities is a peripheral nervous system manifestation of vasculitis, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2

Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with recurrent stroke, as noted by the American Heart Association 3
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with stroke with encephalopathic changes, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with stroke accompanied by fever, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with multifocal neurological events, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with unexplained skin lesions, as noted by the American Heart Association 1
Cerebral vasculitis should be considered in patients with glomerulopathy, as noted by the American Heart Association 1, 3

Patients with suspected giant cell arteritis and visual symptoms require immediate evaluation and treatment to prevent permanent visual loss, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 2
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with hypoxemia is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention, as reported by the European League Against Rheumatism 4
Rapidly declining kidney function suggests severe renal vasculitis requiring urgent assessment, as noted by the American College of Rheumatology 5