Anca-associated vasculitides in elderly people

Abstract

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) play a key role in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). These diseases are rare, occur in every age, but most commonly in adults and elder patients. Among them there are: granulomathosis with poyangiitis (GPA), microscopic poyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomathosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). In the article we try to analyse the course of AAV in eldery patients, according to accessible literature. Among AAV patients, those with MPA diagnosis are elder than GPA and EGPA patients. Elder AAV patients present more frequently severe kidney and lung involvement. Elder patients are more at risk to develop complications in the course of disease, but also treatment-related, including severe infections. In elder patients immunosupresive agents dosage, therethore, should be tapered and adjusted to the renal function.