Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the body. In vasculitis, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed. Inflammation can damage the blood vessels and lead to a number of serious complications. Vasculitis can affect any of the body's blood vessels. These include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body's organs, veins are the vessels that carry blood back to the heart, and capillaries are the tiny blood vessels that connect the small arteries and veins. August 2006

The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Paul Plotz, M.D., NIAMS, NIH; Phillip J. Clements, M.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles; Jay D. Coffman, M.D., of the Boston University Medical Center; and Frederick M. Wigley, M.D., of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the preparation and review of this booklet. NIH Publication No. 01-4911

The Vasculitis Foundation advocates for early diagnosis, leading edge treatment and ultimately a cure for all types of vasculitis.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of sustained-release nifedipine, and the effectiveness of temperature biofeedback, for the treatment of patients with Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon.

This organization publishes booklets for the public and offers an information line staffed by trained nurses. 1-800-222-LUNG

Dermatology Online Journal 12 (1): 4. Abstract: Sjögren syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are both collagen vascular diseases that can be accompanied by Ro antibodies. Clinical evidence suggests that they are wholly distinct diseases. SS is strongly linked to lymphoma while lupus is not. SS patients do not commonly exhibit photosensitivity even though anti-Ro antibodies circulate in their blood; SLE patients generally exhibit photosensitivity. SS does not respond to hydroxychloroquine in a reproducible fashion whereas SLE does. SS has not been linked to parvovirus B19, but SLE has. However, SS and SLE do have similarities. Their autoantibody profiles are similar. They effect women more than men and have similar HLA haplotypes and autoantibodies; this is not likely coincidence but it may not clinically relevant.

Professor J.C.W. Edwards MD FRCP, Professor in Connective Tissue Medicine, University College, London. © 1999.

Last Updated: January 18, 2006 Livedoid vasculopathy (LV), or livedoid vasculitis, is a disease characterized by ulceration of the lower extremities. It can evolve into a dermatologic finding termed atrophie blanche (AB).

Neurology, Vol 45, Issue 3 557-560, Copyright © 1995 by American Academy of Neurology

In this report you will learn what an autoimmune disease does in the body. What the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases are and what is important to consider in dealing with it. So that you may have a better understanding of how to get healthy again.

All About Multiple Sclerosis aims to provide accurate and comprehensive medical information about multiple sclerosis (MS) written in plain English by people living with the disease and its symptoms. It contains a detailed description of multiple sclerosis, a large archive of news stories about MS, an MS encyclopedia and a large links section containing hundreds of commented and rated links. It also has a list of famous people with multiple sclerosis and personal accounts, poems and essays by people with MS. The site receives no sponsorship from pharmaceutical or other financially interested companies and maintains absolute editorial independence.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 2 million Americans, mostly women. Here you'll find in-depth information on rheumatoid arthritis, its causes, symptoms, treatments, and pain relief methods. Plus, find daily support in our online support group.

A PDF File Explaining Autoimmune Testing

About one in four patients with rheumatoid arthritis reports ocular symptoms. Know these signs and symptoms to help you understand the disease and effectively treat these patients. 1/15/2006

Signature: Med Sci Monit, 2002; 8(6): MT105-111

Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2003 Apr;109(4):375-81. Systemic autoimmune diseases form a diverse group which includes: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), scleroderma, dermato-polymyositis, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjogren syndrome. Although multisystem involvement is the hallmark of these diseases, the heart seems to be less affected than other organ systems. The aim of the study was to study possible cardiac abnormalities in patients with documented systemic autoimmune diseases and to assess whether there was any relation between antiphospholipid, anti-dsDNA antibodies and myocardial dysfunction findings. 76 patients (53 with SLE, 9 with MCTD, 8 with scleroderma, 6 with Wegener's granulomatosis) were subjected to our study, 69% of these patients manifested cardiac involvement, based on two-dimentional echocardiografic examination (36%--post-inflammatory valvular thickening, 20%--pericardial effusions, 15%--valvular regurgitation, 7%--left atrial enlargement, 5%--left ventricular hypertrophy, 4%--left ventricular dysfunction). None of the patients showed characteristic, acute Libman-Sacks endocarditis, which probably can be explained by chronic corticosteroid-treatment. Clinical evidence of cardiac abnormalities has been observed, in as many as 58% of cases with positive echocardiographic findings. The frequency and extend of cardiac pathology positively correlated with the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. No such relationship was observed in patients with the presence of very high titers of antinuclear antibodies (anti-dsDNA). In conclusion, our results indicate that echocardiography is a useful method for assessment and monitoring cardiac involvement in the systemic autoimmune diseases.

Review Date: 8/6/2007

The purpose of the International Still's Disease Foundation is to: provide support to those who suffer from Still's Disease, encourage and facilitate communication between Still's Disease sufferers, provide information on Still's Disease to those with the disease, their families, and health care workers and increase general awareness of Still's Disease.

Medscape Medical News 2007. © 2007 Medscape Registration Required

More Studies Needed On Possible Environmental Triggers of Autoimmune Disease

American Family Physician, Sept 15, 2002 by Sayjal J. Patel, Diane C. Lundy Patients with autoimmune diseases are frequently encountered by family physicians. It is important to understand not only the systemic effects of these diseases but also their ocular manifestations. Most ocular complications involve the cornea but may also include the conjunctiva, uvea, sclera, retina, and surrounding structures (Figure 1). The majority of these diseases will ultimately need to be referred to an ophthalmologist.

Background: Raynaud phenomenon refers to reversible ischemia of peripheral arterioles. This can be in response to various stimuli but is most commonly caused by exposure to cold or stress. Raynaud phenomenon (secondary Raynaud) should be distinguished from Raynaud disease (primary Raynaud). They are distinct disorders that share a similar name. Raynaud disease is the occurrence of the vasospasm alone, with no association with another illness. Raynaud phenomenon is usually used in the context of vasospasm associated with another illness, most commonly an autoimmune disease. Other terms used for this distinction are primary Raynaud (disease) and secondary Raynaud (phenomenon). Young female patients who have had Raynaud phenomenon alone for more than 2 years and have not developed any additional manifestations are at low risk for developing an autoimmune disease. Most of these patients are considered to have primary Raynaud. These patients do not exhibit capillary nailfold changes. If such changes are noted on nailfold capillaroscopy, other autoimmune diseases should be considered in the differential diagnoses. The same should be said for older and male patients who have Raynaud phenomenon, as vasospastic symptoms may predate systemic disease by as much as 20 years. In some studies, 46-81% of patients have secondary Raynaud. Although Raynaud phenomenon has been described with various autoimmune diseases, the most common association is with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma; 90% prevalence) and mixed connective-tissue disease (85% prevalence). Raynaud phenomenon has also been described with such diverse diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus and other disorders not classified as autoimmune, including frostbite, vibration injury, polyvinyl chloride exposure, and cryoglobulinemia. Last Updated: April 5, 2006