Vasculitis

Abstract

Vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the wall of blood vessels of various sizes, including veins, arteries, and capillaries. Comorbidities may occur as an intrinsic component of systemic vasculitis or as adverse effects of treatment. This chapter describes the various comorbidities associated with vasculitis, with emphasis on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, treatment-associated infections, thrombosis, and malignancy. Careful and meticulous assessment of comorbidities is mandatory at the time of diagnosis of the various vasculitides as well as during the active phase and at remission.