ANCA associated vasculitis in patients from Saudi Arabia

Objective: To explore clinical and laboratory features, therapy and outcome of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) patients from our tertiary care center. Methods: This study of AAV patients seen in Rheumatology clinics at King Khalid University hospital (KKUH), King Saud University, Riyadh during the period 1990-2014 was carried out retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, haematological and immunological parameters along with therapy, complications and outcome were retrieved from patients' medical charts. Different characteristics were compared between the three groups of AAV; GPA (Granulomatosis with polyangiitis), MPA (Microscopic polyangiitis) and EGPA (Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis). Results: We identified 34 AAV patients (21 males: 13 females; 31 Saudis: 3 non-Saudis) comprising of 23 GPA, 2 MPA and 9 EGPA cases. The mean age of onset was 42.1±17.6 years (range 11-75) and mean duration of disease was 8.7± 5.1 years (range 1-20). The most frequently affected system was pulmonary in all AAV (73.5%), GPA (65.2%) and EGPA (100%) while it was renal in MPA (100%) patients. Ophthalmological and upper airways involvement was higher in GPA. Neurological involvement was higher in EGPA (p