Living with Polyarteritis nodosa
A blood vessel disease with inflammation of small and medium arteries that can affect the skin, nerves, joints, gut, heart, eyes and kidneys.
Understanding Polyarteritis nodosa
The inflamed arteries cannot bring oxygen and nutrients to organs as well. It most commonly affects vessels in the skin, joints, nerves, gut, heart, eyes and kidneys. Most cases occur in the 40s or 50s, but it can happen at any age. Symptoms come from damage to the affected organs.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fever
- Joint pain and muscle aches
- Weight loss
- Skin changes and rashes
- Nerve problems such as numbness
- Kidney problems
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists, brain and nervous system specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute and Vasculitis Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute, Vasculitis Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the underlying cause is unknown.
Also known as: classic polyarteritis nodosa; classical polyarteritis nodosa; küssmaul-maier disease; pan; pan - polyarteritis nodosa; panarteritis nodosa
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationPolyarteritis nodosa · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstitutePolyarteritis nodosa · United States
- Vasculitis FoundationPolyarteritis nodosa · United States
- The Lauren Currie Twilight FoundationPolyarteritis nodosa · National Kidney Foundation
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Polyarteritis nodosa.
Explore research for Polyarteritis nodosa
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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