Vasculitides are autoimmune inflammatory disorders of blood vessels that can affect any organ. They can be primary or secondary to other conditions, e.g., SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis B and C, and HIV. Symptoms depend on the organ affected.
The classification is based on the modified Chapel Hill criteria.
Classification of vasculitides based on the size of the blood vessel affected
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Large vessel vasculitis | Giant cell arteritis, Takayasu’s arteritis |
| Medium vessel vasculitis | Polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease |
| Small vessel vasculitis | ANCA-associated: Microscopic polyangiitis; Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Immune complex vasculitis; Goodpasture’s disease; Cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis; IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schonlein Purpura) |
| Variable vessel vasculitis | Behcet’s syndrome, Cogan syndrome |
