ACR_VF Guidelines: GPA-MPA Breakout

[@vasculitisfoundation]

@ramnisanth, this is a good question and one that you should ask your doctor directly. Thank you.

[@fykidne]

Fantastic presentation. Thank you!

[@christinahanson6789]

Wow, great info., thank you so very much !!

[@vasculitisfoundation]

We are so glad you found this information helpful. We have additional videos and information about GPA and MPA on our website vasculitisfoundation.org. You can also find out more about our virtual support groups, upcoming events, podcasts and more. We also have an online support community Vasculitis Voices www.inspire.com/groups/vasculitis-voices/

[@themartins4182]

Good information just was diagnosed

[@vasculitisfoundation]

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis but you have definitely found a great resource for information and support. The Vasculitis Foundation has additional videos and information about GPA and MPA on our website vasculitisfoundation.org. You can also find out more about our virtual support groups, upcoming events, podcasts and more. We also have an online support community Vasculitis Voices www.inspire.com/groups/vasculitis-voices/

[@ramnisanth]

Is rituximab safe ?

[@vasculitisfoundation]

Every medication has side effects and the potential for an allergic reaction. Like many medications used to treat vasculitis, rituximab lowers your immune response which increases your chance of infection. Here are some resources about rituximab that can provide you with information so that you can work with your healthcare team to make an informed decision about whether or not rituximab should be part of your treatment plan. 1. Vasculitis Foundation's web page on vasculitis treatments: www.vasculitisfoundation.org/treatments-research/treatments/other-treatments/ (Scroll down to FDA approved treatments to read about rituximab.) 2. Here is a paper that reviewed several studies that looked at the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis (GPA/MPA). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9774915/ Here are a couple excerpts from this paper, "Most of the studies showed the very effective effect of RTX in controlling disease in AAV patients, including pediatrics, adults, and elderlies, although RTX cannot completely prevent relapse. However, maintenance therapy helps delay the disease’s relapse and causes sustained remission." and "Generally, RTX is relatively safe compared to conventional therapies, but some serious adverse effects, mainly infections, cytopenia, hypogammaglobinemia, malignancy, and hypersensitivity have been reported. Conclusions: RTX is an effective and relatively safe therapeutic option for AAV. Studies on the evaluation of the safety profiles of RTX and the prevention of severe RTX-related side effects in AAV patients are required." 3. American College of Rheumatology web page and fact sheet (including questions to ask/what to tell your doctor) for rituximab rheumatology.org/patients/rituximab-rituxan-and-mabthera