Clinical presentation and long-term outcome of 144 patients with microscopic polyangiitis in a monocentric German cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical presentation and long-term outcome of a vasculitis centre cohort of patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) with respect to organ manifestations, treatment, chronic damage and mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review at our vasculitis referral centre. MPA patients admitted between 1991 and 2013 classified by a modified European Medicines Agency algorithm were diagnosed and treated according to a standardized interdisciplinary approach. RESULTS: Comprehensive data from standardized interdisciplinary workups was available for 144 patients (median follow-up 72 months). The overall standardized mortality ratio was 1.40 (95% CI 0.91, 2.07; P = 0.13). We observed a higher mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 4.04 (95% CI 1.21, 13.45), P = 0.02] in 17 patients with MPA-associated fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) and 56 patients with peripheral nervous system involvement [HR 5.26 (95% CI 1.10, 25.14), P = 0.04] at disease onset. One hundred and fifteen patients (79.9%) responded to the initial treatment. Sixty-one (42.3%) achieved complete remission and 54 (37.5%) achieved partial remission. Twenty (13.9%) showed a refractory disease course. CONCLUSION: MPA patients at our tertiary rheumatology referral centre seemed to have a less severe phenotype resulting in a less severe disease course and better outcome than reported in other cohorts. Fibrosing ILD was significantly associated with mortality in this cohort.

Doubled prevalence rates of ANCA-associated vasculitides and giant cell arteritis between 1994 and 2006 in northern Germany.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the period prevalences of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV), including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), eosinophilic GPA (EGPA)/Churg-Strauss and GCA, in an urban and rural population in northern Germany in 2006 and to compare the data with our previous study performed in 1994. METHODS: We identified of all patients with AAV or GCA via questionnaires to all hospital departments, physicians, health insurance providers, pension funds, reference laboratories for autoimmune diseases and death registries in Luebeck (city) and the rural region of Segeberg (population 468 962) between January and December 2006. The type of vasculitis, gender, year of birth, postal code and death were documented and re-evaluated. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty patients were identified, indicating a prevalence of 320 per million inhabitants for the complete catchment area (95% CI 285, 355). GCA was more prevalent than AAV: 171 (146, 197) vs 149 (126, 174). GCA and AAV have almost doubled since 1994. GCA increased from 240 (164, 315) to 440 (399, 481) per million in the population ≥ 50 years of age and AAV increased from 74 to 149 cases per million. GCA and AAV were more prevalent in the urban compared with the rural region. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of AAV and GCA almost doubled from 1994 to 2006 for this region with a stable population and using an identical study design. Increased awareness has led to an earlier diagnosis of systemic vasculitis and improved activity-adapted treatment mostly based on randomized controlled trials has led to longer survival. Aspects such as environmental factors and exposure to certain substances need further research.

Rituximab for refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis): comparison of efficacy in granulomatous versus vasculitic manifestations.

OBJECTIVE: First, to investigate the overall efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in refractory granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in a tertiary referral centre. Second, to compare the efficacy of RTX in granulomatous and vasculitic manifestations in GPA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study comprised a retrospective, standardised data collection from all patients who received RTX for refractory Wegener's granulomatosis from 2002 to 2010. Patients were assessed by a standardised interdisciplinary diagnostic procedure (including ear, nose and throat and ophthalmology assessment, MRI, immunodiagnostics, B-cell levels and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score) and were treated by standardised therapeutic regimens according to available evidence. RESULTS: 59 patients received 75 cycles of RTX. 9.3% achieved complete remission. A response was documented in 61.3% (improvement in 52%, unchanged disease activity in 9.3%), 26.7% had refractory disease. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, disease extent index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and prednisolone demand decreased significantly. All patients achieved B-cell depletion. Granulomatous manifestations such as orbital granuloma and pachymeningitis were more frequently refractory to RTX than vasculitis or other granulomatous manifestations. Thus, for example, complete remission/improvement was found in 89.2% of patients with renal disease and in only 44.4% of those with orbital masses (p=0.003). The relapse rate was 44.4% after a median period of 13.5 months. Adverse events occurred in 29%, pneumonia in 15% and death in 3%. CONCLUSION: The overall response rate of refractory GPA to RTX was high (61.3% complete remission or improvement). Response rates of vasculitic manifestations were excellent; failure of response/progress was mostly due to granulomatous manifestations, especially orbital masses. Relapse rates were high (40%) despite maintenance treatment.

Improved outcome in 445 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis in a German vasculitis center over four decades.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcome in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) over 4 decades in an academic hospital unit specializing in rheumatology. METHODS: We included 290 patients, divided them into 2 cohorts, and compared them with the historical cohort of 155 patients. Comparisons were retrospective regarding disease manifestations, therapy, mortality, and incidence of malignancies. The historical cohort (cohort 1) included 155 patients diagnosed between 1966 and 1993, cohort 2 included 123 patients diagnosed between 1994 and 1998, and cohort 3 included 167 patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2002. RESULTS: Over time, the interval between first symptoms and diagnosis was reduced by half (from 8 months to 4 months). Organ manifestations were similar in the 3 cohorts, and more than 80% of patients still required cyclophosphamide (CYC); however, the median cumulative dose was reduced significantly (from 67 gm in cohort 1 to 36 gm in cohort 2 and to 24 gm in cohort 3). The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) declined (from 2.1 in cohort 1 to 1.41 in cohort 2 and to 1.03 in cohort 3), with fewer deaths related to WG and/or therapy (86.4% in cohort 1, 76.9% in cohort 2, 50% in cohort 3), decreasing relapse rates (63.9% in cohort 1, 51.2% in cohort 2, 35.3% in cohort 3), and no increased rate of malignancies. Compared with young females, young males had a considerably higher SMR (8.87 [95% confidence interval 4.05-16.8]) and more frequent renal manifestations (54.4% versus 33.8%). CONCLUSION: Mortality of WG patients declined over the last 4 decades, probably due to improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and increased awareness of WG, which led to earlier diagnosis and therapy, reduction in relapse rates, and lower cumulative CYC dose with fewer deaths related to therapy.

Prospective long-term follow-up of patients with localised Wegener's granulomatosis: does it occur as persistent disease stage?

OBJECTIVE: To identify patients with localised Wegener's granulomatosis (locWG) to assess whether it occurs as a long-term disease stage or phenotype and to characterise its outcome. METHODS: Patients in a 'localised stage' with histological criteria compatible with WG and a follow-up period of ≥1 year were included. They were prospectively followed at the Vasculitis Center Schleswig-Holstein from 1989 to 2009 and the clinical manifestations, antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) status and damage were evaluated. Immunosuppression was adapted to disease activity and severity in a step-up regimen. RESULTS: Of 1024 patients with suspected WG, 99 were clinically diagnosed with locWG and 50 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (72% women, median age 43 years, 46% ANCA-positive). The median follow-up was 48 months. All achieved a response to treatment, 34% achieved complete remission, 1-4 relapses occurred in 46%, 5 (10%) had generalised disease (median 6 years after onset). ANCA status was not associated with relapse (p=0.98), transition to generalised disease (p=0.51) or refractory manifestations (p=0.60). 47% required cyclophosphamide for localised manifestations, 36% of them for pulmonary masses and 24% for orbital masses. 66% developed organ damage, mostly due to bony destruction or space obturation (28% saddle nose, 24% septal perforation, 10% orbital wall destruction). There were two deaths that were not related to WG. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that locWG is a long-term disease stage or phenotype (5% of all patients with WG), 46% of whom are ANCA-positive. LocWG is characterised by destructive and/or space-consuming lesions associated with high relapse rates (46%) and local damage.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and endonasal activity in Wegener s granulomatosis as compared to rheumatoid arthritis and chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVES: Nasal colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) has been implicated in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) disease activity. In this study, the frequency of nasal colonisation with S. aureus in WG was compared to healthy and disease control groups for the first time. Moreover, endonasal activity was correlated to colonisation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nasal carriage of S. aureus of a well-defined group of 89 patients with WG was compared to 40 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRS), 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 50 hospital staff members and 25 subjects without regular hospital contact and correlation analysis of nasal carriage and endonasal activity of WG was performed. RESULTS: WG patients showed significantly higher rates (72%) of nasal colonisation with S. aureus compared to CRS patients (28%) and healthy subjects without regular hospital contact (25%, 95%-CI), but not to RA patients (46%) and hospital staff members (58%). WG patients with nasal carriage of S. aureus had significantly higher endoscopically proven endonasal activity (p=0.01), significantly more often first manifestation of WG in the upper respiratory tract (p=0.02) and higher relapse-rates (p=0.052) than WG patients without such carriage. CONCLUSIONS: Endonasal activity in WG is associated with higher nasal S. aureus colonisation rates and subsequent higher relapse rates. The higher frequency of S. aureus colonisation could be a consequence of a recently shown mucosal barrier defect in WG and facilitate chronic inflammation and granuloma formation in the upper respiratory tract.

Myeloperoxidase-Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Positive Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's) Is a Clinically Distinct Subset of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Retrospective Analysis of 315 Patients From a German Vasculitis Referral Center.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the phenotype, clinical course, and outcome of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) to proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA-positive GPA and to MPO-ANCA-positive microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). METHODS: We characterized all MPO-ANCA-positive patients classified as having GPA by the European Medicines Agency algorithm who attended our center, in a retrospective chart review. A second cohort of patients with PR3-ANCA-positive GPA matched for age and sex was characterized. Patients with MPO-ANCA-positive MPA from a recently published cohort were also included in the analysis. All patients were diagnosed and treated according to a standardized interdisciplinary approach at a vasculitis referral center. RESULTS: Comprehensive data were available for 59 patients with MPO-ANCA-positive GPA, and they were compared to 118 patients with PR3-ANCA-positive GPA and 138 patients with MPO-ANCA-positive MPA. We observed a distinct phenotype in MPO-ANCA-positive GPA as compared to the other 2 cohorts. Patients with MPO-ANCA-positive GPA frequently had limited disease without severe organ involvement, had a high prevalence of subglottic stenosis, and had less need for aggressive immunosuppressive therapy (cyclophosphamide/rituximab). The patients with MPO-ANCA-positive GPA were also younger than the MPA patients and were predominantly female (significantly different than the MPA cohort). While GPA patients had higher survival rates compared to MPA patients (due to a high prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis in MPA), patients with MPO-ANCA had significantly lower relapse rates than those with PR3-ANCA. CONCLUSION: Patients with MPO-ANCA-positive GPA show significantly different clinical courses compared to those with PR3-ANCA-positive GPA or MPO-ANCA-positive MPA, which should be considered in their clinical management. Classification according to ANCA specificity may improve the evaluation of relapse risk.

Diagnostics and therapy of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitides.

Granulumatosis with polyangiitis (wegener's)/GPA microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and Churg Strauss syndrome (CSS) are primary systemic vasculitides which predominantly affect small vessels, showing a high association with a positive C/PR3-ANCA in GPA and P/MPO-ANCA in MPA, so called ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). The diagnostic work-up relies on an interdisciplinary approach including imaging techniques and laboratory tests in order to assess disease stage and extent. The golden standard remains the histological proof of a necrotizing, pauci-immune small vessel vasculitis, in GPA additionally non-caseating granuloma is found mainly in the respiratory tract. Treatment is adapted to disease stage and extent and relies on a combination of a cytotoxic plus a tapering regimen of glucocorticosteroids. Induction of remission in "early systemic" disease without organ- and life-threatening organ manifestations and a near normal kidney function can be achieved with methotrexate. In the generalized phase with significant renal dysfunction cyclophosphamide is the mainstay of therapy, in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with an imminent dialysis indication plasmapheresis is performed additionally. When remission is achieved, usually after 3-6 months of induction treatment, cyclophosphamide is switched to azathioprine as maintenance of remission drug. Alternative therapies are methotrexate provided the kidney function is normal or Leflunomide in the long-term follow-up the relapse rate in ANCA-associated vasculitis is approximately 50% in 5 years, irrespective of the drug used for maintenance treatment. The relapse rate is significantly higher in GPA than in MPA and CSS.

Stable incidence of systemic vasculitides in schleswig-holstein, Germany.

INTRODUCTION: The authors present data on the incidence of primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein from 1998 to 2005. METHODS: Population-based study of all new cases of PSV from 1 January 1998 onward in a region with a population of 2.83 million. The sources of patient data were all hospital departments in the catchment area, including outpatient clinics; all departments of pathology; and the reference immunological laboratories serving the catchment area. RESULTS: Over this eight-year period, 982 patients with newly diagnosed PSV were identified in Schleswig-Holstein, of whom 273 were diagnosed with ANCA (i.e., anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The incidence of all types of PSV combined was between 38 and 54 cases per million population per year. The incidence of AAV (which includes Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], microscopic polyangiitis [MPA], and Churg-Strauss syndrome [CSS]) was between 9.5 and 16 cases per million per year. WG consistently accounted for two-thirds to three-quarters of all new cases of AAV diagnosed each year. DISCUSSION: This population-based vasculitis registry designed to capture all new cases of PSV in an eight-year period in a northern German region with 2.83 million inhabitants revealed stable incidence figures for all types of PSV and for AAV. Compared to figures obtained in other studies from small regions or referral centers, the incidence rate of WG (as an illustrative type of AAV) in this study was the same as those in Norway and Sweden, lower than that in the United Kingdom, but higher than those in Spain and in Vilnius (Lithuania). It is unclear whether these differences truly reflect a north-south gradient within Europe or are merely due to methodological differences.

Stable incidence of primary systemic vasculitides over five years: results from the German vasculitis register.

OBJECTIVE: To register all newly diagnosed patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV) in a large region in northern Germany. METHODS: Between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2002 all newly diagnosed cases of PSV were identified in a large mixed rural/urban northern German region consisting of 2,777,275 habitants in a population-based prospective study. The following sources were used: departments of all hospitals, including their outpatient clinics; all departments of pathology; and the reference immunologic labs serving the catchment area. RESULTS: During 5 years, 642 PSV patients were identified. The incidence rates for all PSV were between 40 and 54 cases per 1 million and per year. People at age 50 years and older had a 3-5-fold higher risk of developing PSV compared with those younger than 50 years. The incidence rates of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated PSV (Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], microscopic polyangiitis [MPA], Churg-Strauss syndrome [CSS]) were between 9.5 and 16/million/year. WG occured 2-3 times more frequently than MPA or CSS. CONCLUSION: Results of a population-based vasculitis register over 5 years for the incidence of PSV among 2.78 million habitants in northern Germany revealed a stable incidence for all PSV. Compared with other European studies coming from small regions or referral centers, the incidence rates for ANCA-associated PSV were the same as in Norway, lower than those in United Kingdom, but higher than those in Spain.

High rate of renal relapse in 71 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis under maintenance of remission with low-dose methotrexate.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term efficacy of low-dose intravenous methotrexate (MTX) with and without concomitant glucocorticoids (GC) for remission maintenance in patients with generalized Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) in an open-label, prospective, standardized trial. METHODS: After induction of remission by cyclophosphamide and GC, 71 patients (41 males, 30 female) with initially generalized WG received low-dose methotrexate at 0.3 mg/kg body weight once weekly. At study-start 55 of 71 (77.5%) patients were on low-dose GC (mean 5.9 mg/day) which was tapered during the study. All patients underwent interdisciplinary staging at 3-month (and later at 6-month) intervals to assess disease activity and extent as well as side effects. End points were the first relapse or the end of study (January 2001). RESULTS: Within a mean followup period of 25.2 months, 26 patients (36.6%) experienced a relapse after a mean of 19.4 months. Seventeen (65.4%) of these 26 patients had terminated GC therapy at the time of relapse. There was no difference in relapse rates among patients with and without concomitant GC at study start. Relapses occurred mainly in the initially involved organ systems, preferentially in the ear, nose and throat tract in 18 of 26 patients and the kidney in 16 of 26 patients. One renal relapse presented as rapid, progressive glomerulonephritis with lethal outcome. Further, 14 relapses were accompanied by a significant rise in creatinine values. In 15/26 patients the relapse was paralleled or preceded by a significant rise of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer. Two patients ceased MTX prematurely because of persistent leukopenia. CONCLUSION: Weekly MTX is a well tolerated therapy for long-term maintenance of remission. However, one-third of the patients relapsed during ongoing MTX treatment, irrespective of whether they were still receiving GC. Because more than half of the relapses affected the kidney, close monitoring is indispensable.

Heterogeneity of CD4 and CD8+ memory T cells in localized and generalized Wegener's granulomatosis.

Memory T cells display phenotypic heterogeneity. Surface antigens previously regarded as exclusive markers of naive T cells, such as L-selectin (CD62L), can also be detected on some memory T cells. Moreover, a fraction of CD45RO+ (positive for the short human isoform of CD45) memory T cells reverts to the CD45RA+ (positive for the long human isoform of CD45) phenotype. We analyzed patients with biopsy-proven localized Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) (n = 5), generalized WG (n = 16) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 13) to further characterize memory T cells in WG. The cell-surface expression of CD45RO, CD45RA, CD62L, CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 was determined on blood-derived T cells by four-color flow cytometric analysis. The fractions of CCR5+ and CCR3+ cells within the CD4+CD45RO+ and CD8+CD45RO+ memory T cell populations were significantly expanded in localized and generalized WG. The mean percentage of Th1-type CCR5 expression was higher in localized WG. Upregulated CCR5 and CCR3 expression could also be detected on a fraction of CD45RA+ T cells. CD62L expression was seen on approximately half of the memory T cell populations expressing chemokine receptors. This study demonstrates for the first time that expression of the inducible inflammatory chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR3 on CD45RO+ memory T cells, as well as on CD45RA+ T cells ('revertants'), contributes to phenotypic heterogeneity in an autoimmune disease, namely WG. Upregulated CCR5 and CCR3 expression suggests that the cells belong to the effector memory T cell population. CCR5 and CCR3 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells indicates a potential to respond to chemotactic gradients and might be important in T cell migration contributing to granuloma formation and vasculitis in WG.

Effect of Wegener's granulomatosis on work disability, need for medical care, and quality of life in patients younger than 40 years at diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) on employment status, work disability, and need for medical care of 60 consecutive WG patients aged < or = 40 years at diagnosis. METHODS: Sixty WG patients (26 male, 34 female) with a median age of 36 years (range 17-48 years) and a median duration of disease of 39 months (range 0-228 months) completed self-administered questionnaires on hospitalization, medical care, and employment status plus the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36 (SF-36) estimating their health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the 60 patients reported full- or part-time employment more than 3 years after diagnosis. Only 14 of the 51 patients employed at diagnosis (27%) were currently receiving a permanent work disability pension due to WG. Two additional patients had lost work because of WG. Women who were employed at diagnosis had a nearly 3-fold higher risk of losing their jobs compared with men (P = 0.0006). There were no differences with regard to age at diagnosis, disease duration, disease severity, or education level between employed and unemployed patients. Employed patients had missed a median of 14 workdays (range 0-18 days) due to WG within the past 12 months. More than half of all patients (33 of 60) had been hospitalized during the previous 12 months because of WG. Ninety-three percent of all patients had visited their physician once or more per month, more than half of them at least once per week, regardless of employment status, severity of disease, or type of current medication. Unemployed WG patients experienced significant reductions in social and physical function and in their perceived degree of general health as assessed by the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-seven percent of WG patients younger than age 40 who were employed at diagnosis received permanent work disability within a disease duration of 39 months. Unemployment is followed by a considerable reduction in disease-related quality of life compared with employed patients, independent of severity and extent of disease. Furthermore, because patients were followed closely by an interdisciplinary team, a high rate of hospitalization and frequent visits to physicians resulted.

Differences in CCR5 expression on peripheral blood CD4+CD28- T-cells and in granulomatous lesions between localized and generalized Wegener's granulomatosis.

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by granulomatous lesions and a necrotizing vasculitis. Th1-type-cells lacking CD28 are expanded independent of age and immunosuppressive therapy in WG. To address their migratory properties of CD4(+)CD28(-) T-cells we studied the expression of the inducible inflammatory Th1-type chemokine receptor CCR5 in localized WG and generalized WG. Expansion of CD4(+)CD28(-) T-cells was more prominent in generalized WG compared to localized WG. In localized WG a larger fraction of CD4(+)CD28(-) T-cells displayed CCR5 expression compared to generalized WG. CCR5 expression was also higher in granulomatous lesions in localized WG. Higher levels of CCR5 expression on CD4(+)CD28(-) T-cells in localized WG may favor stronger CCR5-mediated recruitment of this T-cell subset into granulomatous lesions in localized WG. Expansion of Th-1-type CD4(+)CD28(-)CCR5(+) effector memory T-cells might contribute to disease progression and autoreactivity, either directly, by maintaining the inflammatory response, or as a result of bystander activation.