Living with Rheumatoid vasculitis
A rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis in which small and medium blood vessels become inflamed and damaged.
Understanding Rheumatoid vasculitis
It develops in people who already have rheumatoid arthritis. GARD describes damage to blood vessels in the limbs, skin ulcers, tissue death in the fingers or toes (gangrene), and nerve damage in more than one nerve (mononeuritis multiplex).
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. Its summary describes these:
- Blood vessel damage in the arms and legs
- Skin sores (ulcers)
- Tissue death in fingers or toes (gangrene)
- Damage to several nerves (mononeuritis multiplex)
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
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Vasculitis Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: 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 Vasculitis Foundation
- 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 describes it as a complication of rheumatoid arthritis. It does not list a gene or inheritance pattern.
Patient organizations
- Vasculitis FoundationRheumatoid vasculitis · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Rheumatoid vasculitis.
Explore research for Rheumatoid vasculitis
Explore actively recruiting Rheumatoid vasculitis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Rheumatoid vasculitis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- 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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