title: The effects of vasculitis on the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
abstract: Vasculitis can affect every organ of the digestive system. In many cases, it may first present with gastrointestinal symptoms. In several forms of vasculitis, including Churg Strauss syndrome, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and lupus, the majority of patients have gastrointestinal involvement. The astute gastroenterologist should consider vasculitic causes of the symptoms seen in many patients. Making the correct diagnosis requires a thorough understanding of the potential role of vasculitis in causing these symptoms and the appropriate path to making a diagnosis. This article reviews the variety of manifestations of vasculitis on the digestive system, and emphasizes diagnosis and clinical manifestations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences-Medical College of Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chapin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Licht
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008727:Methotrexate