Comparative analysis of recommendations for the management of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis and kidney damage

Abstract

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculites (AAV) are a heterogeneous group of systemic necrotizing vasculites with a primary lesion of small vessels. AAV are associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially with untimely diagnosis and treatment. Randomized controlled trials over the past two decades have made it possible to better identify and expand therapeutic options and pave the way for highly relevant re­commendations. Since 2014, four scientific societies have syste­matized existing data and formulated evidence-based guidelines for the management of AAV patients. These recommendations include diagnosis, remission induction therapy and supportive care, as well as the prevention of long-term complications. This literature review is a comparative analysis of published recommendations from the British Society for Rheumatology and the British Health Professionals in Rheumato­logy (2014); Canadian Vasculitis Research Network (2015); European League Against Rheumatism ­(EULAR)/European Renal Association (ERA) — European Dia­lysis and Transplant Association (2016), developed by the international task force EULAR, ERA and the European Vasculitis Society, and the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (2017) for the mana­gement of patients with AAV. We have identified common ground between the above guidelines and the differences between them.

Keywords

• antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
• vasculitis
• kidneys
• nephritis
• management
• guidelines