Relapse with ANCA vasculitis

This webinar is designed specifically for patients with a new diagnosis of ANCA vasculitis, those concerned about future relapse, and/or those with previously treated relapse who are seeking to understand how to manage this challenging phase of their condition. It's led by led by Dr. Mats Junek, MD, MSc, FRCPC, a rheumatologist and PhD candidate with expertise in vasculitis care and research at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, as he addresses the critical topic of relapse in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).


0:00
7:02 What is remission with vasculitis?
10:53 Symptoms with remission.
14:10 No known triggers for relapse
17:10 About maintenance therapy
20:51 PEXIVAS risk of relapse estimation tool
21:58 Measuring of risk of infection
22:09 EGPA
29:03 Future Research
30:15 Take-home points
32:09 How do treatment strategies differ between managing a relapse and managing the initial onset of vasculitis?
35:30 Could the COVID or shingles vaccine be a possible trigger of a relapse?
40:02 Is burning pain on the back of the thigh and aching, throbbing pain on the outer thigh, and sensitivity to touch a flare-up, and is each flare-up cumulative?
42:43 For GPA patients on methotrexate, how long can one be off MTX for surgery without triggering a relapse? Some doctors want patients to take methotrexate before and after surgery.
44:47 If you normally get every 6 months Rituxan and have a flare-up, is it common to do 4 months a few times?
51:21 Our immune systems weaken as we get into old age. Is there a reduced risk of flares in seniors or those over 75?
52:46 Some people remain ANCA positive while in remission. Is there a difference in relapse rates between those who remain ANCA positive versus those who don’t?
57:04 Communication between patient and doctor is critical, but we don’t want to overload an already stressed medical system. So when is it appropriate to check in with a doctor on a suspected flare? And what information is important to present?

Visit the Vasculitis Foundation website to learn about all of our resources. www.vasculitisfoundation.org