title: Gastrointestinal aspects of vasculitides.
abstract: Systemic vasculitides are caused by inflammation of blood vessels and can affect any organ and any part of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatic and biliary system, as well as the pancreas. These disorders can cause a wide array of gastrointestinal manifestations, from asymptomatic elevated transaminase levels and mild abdominal pain to potentially life-threatening bowel perforations and peritonitis. A diagnosis based solely on gastrointestinal symptoms is challenging as these manifestations are not specific. Conversely, diagnostic and therapeutic delays can be rapidly detrimental. In this article, we review the epidemiology, characteristics and management of the main gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic vasculitides, including polyarteritis nodosa and antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitides, as well as isolated vasculitides limited to the gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Vasculitis Clinic, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 60 Murray Street, Toronto M5T 3L9, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Medha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soowamber
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 437-600 University Avenue, Toronto M5G 1X5, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Adam V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Weizman
authors.affiliation: Vasculitis Clinic, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 60 Murray Street, Toronto M5T 3L9, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagnoux
mesh_terms: D001167:Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D056647:Systemic Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy