Investigation of the frequency and clinical manifestations of Wegener vasculitis among other vasculitis patients in rheumatology ward of Vali-asr hospital during the past 10 years

Vasculitis is a rare disease and its prevalence varies according to age, race, time and geographical location. Due to the fact that no study has been conducted in Iran to investigate the frequency, clinical and laboratory symptoms of vasculitis in a considerable population of vasculitis patients, so the need for this study is felt. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and clinical signs of granulomatosis with polyangitis (GP) patients who admited in rheumatology ward of Valiasr hospital in the last 10 years.

In this study, all patients with a possible diagnosis of vasculitis in the rheumatology ward of Valiasr Hospital during the past 10 years were evaluated. Then the GP patients were evaluated for clinical, laboratory, radiological, pathological findins, outcome, mortality, and major complications.

During the last 10 years, 223 vasculitis patients have been admitted to Valiasr hospital. Of these, 87 % were primary vasculitis and 13% were secondary vasculitis. The highest frequncy was related to GP (21.52 %) followed by Behcet's disease. Women and men were included 52.08 % and 47.91 % of GP patients, respectively. Upper and lower airway involvement and totally ear, nose and throat (ENT) involvement were the most common clinical symptoms in GP patients.

According to the finding of this study, GP vasculitis was the most common type of vasculitis that ENT involvements were the most common clinical symptoms in this patients. However, more studies are required to confirm these data in Iran.