Microscopic Polyangiitis

About Microscopic Polyangiitis

Microscopic polyangiitis is a form of vasculitis (inflammatory vascular disease) that affects small vessels, disrupting blood flow to tissues throughout your body. The primary organ system affected in MPA is the kidneys. Other organs that may be affected include your nervous system, eyes, skin, and lungs.

Along with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), MPA is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. In these diseases, vascular inflammation is caused by antibodies called ANCAs.

Symptoms of Microscopic Polyangiitis

Symptoms of microscopic polyangiitis vary based on the organ systems affected by the disease. They may also change over time.

Symptoms of microscopic polyangiitis may include:

• Dark colored urine
• Ear infections
• Eye infections
• Leg swelling
• Sinus infections
• Skin discoloration
• Tingling and numbness
• Tiredness, aches, or weakness in joints or muscles

Risk Factors for Microscopic Polyangiitis

Microscopic polyangiitis is more common in certain patient populations.

Risk factors for microscopic polyangiitis may include:

• Age: MPA is prevalent in people between the ages of 50 and 70.
• Comorbid conditions: MPA often occurs in conjunction with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating Microscopic Polyangiitis at UT Health Austin

Like all forms of vasculitis, corticosteroids like prednisone can be used to address the inflammation associated with microscopic polyangiitis. Your physician may prescribe an immunosuppressant medication such as rituximab, methotrexate, azathioprine, or mycophenolate mofetil.

Care Team Approach

At UT Health Austin, we take a multidisciplinary approach to your care. This means you will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines caring for you in one place. The Vasculitis Clinic care team includes rheumatologists, nurses, and medical assistants who work together to help you get back to the things in your life that matter most to you.

We collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to develop the best treatment plan for you. Advanced imaging and lab testing are also available on-site if needed, including computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

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