Polyarteritis Nodosa

About Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is a form of vasculitis (inflammatory vessel disease) that affects your medium-sized arteries. The resulting disruptions to circulation cause a wide array of symptoms in various organ systems.

Symptoms of Polyarteritis Nodosa

Symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa vary and result from bodily tissues not receiving adequate blood supply.

Symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Hypertension
• Skin discoloration

Risk Factors for Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is more common in certain patient populations.

Risk factors for polyarteritis nodosa may include:

• Age: The condition is typically first diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 50.
• Family history: Polyarteritis nodosa is more prevalent in people of European descent.
• Sex: The condition is more common in male patients.

Treating Polyarteritis Nodosa at UT Health Austin

Like all forms of vasculitis, corticosteroids like prednisone can be used to address the inflammation associated with polyarteritis nodosa. Your physician may prescribe an immunosuppressant medication such as cyclophosphamide.

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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