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Polyarteritis nodosa

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Periarteritis nodosa

Treatment:

Treatment involves medications to suppress the immune system, including prednisone and cyclophosphamide.

Expectations (prognosis):

Current treatments using steroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system (such as cyclophosphamide) can improve symptoms and the chance of long-term survival. The most serious associated conditions generally involve the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Without treatment, the outlook is poor.

Complications:

• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Heart attack
• Intestinal necrosis and perforation

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chance of a good outcome.

• Review Date: 8/22/2006
• Reviewed By: Lisa Christopher-Stine, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University,Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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