Gastrointestinal involvement of systemic vasculitis

Abstract

Systemic vasculitides can affect any organ and any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the hepatobiliary system. Depending on the size of the inflamed blood vessels, gastrointestinal symptoms may range from mild abdominal pain and elevated transaminase levels to potentially life-threatening intestinal perforations and peritonitis. Because gastrointestinal manifestations are not specific, a diagnosis of systemic vasculitis based on gastrointestinal symptoms alone is challenging. However, diagnostic delay can cause unfavorable outcomes. This article reviews the epidemiology, gastrointestinal manifestations, and treatment of systemic vasculitides including Takayasu arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis, and single-organ vasculitis limited to the gastrointestinal tract.