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Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a condition that causes swollen arteries. It primarily affects small and medium arteries, which can become inflamed or damaged. This is a serious disease of the blood vessels caused by an immune system malfunction.
Ongoing treatment is crucial, and there’s a risk of serious complications for people who have it and don’t seek medical care.
PAN ultimately affects all of your organs, including the skin. It can also affect your central nervous system.
The symptoms of PAN are quite pronounced and may include:
According to Johns Hopkins, PAN affects the nervous systems of up to 70 percent of people. Without medical treatment, PAN can cause seizures and neurological issues, including reduced alertness and cognitive dysfunction, after two to three years.
Skin lesions are also very common. PAN most often affects the skin on the legs, and the sores can be painful.
Your arteries carry blood to your tissues and organs. PAN is characterized by damaged arteries that impede the flow of blood to the rest of your body. When your organs don’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood, they stop working the way they should. This type of arterial damage occurs when your immune system attacks your arteries. There’s no one identifiable cause for this immune reaction, so the exact cause of PAN also remains unknown.
While the exact cause of PAN is unknown, there are many factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease. PAN is more common in people who:
It’s important to understand these risk factors and talk to your doctor about receiving regular tests. This is especially true if you experience symptoms of PAN or if the condition runs in your family.
PAN is a complicated disease that requires multiple tests before your doctor can make a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will likely order a complete blood count to measure the number of red and white blood cells you have.
You may also undergo:
Most people with PAN have elevated ESR results. According to Johns Hopkins, skin and muscle or nerve biopsies can be helpful when making a diagnosis.
Once these tests are complete, your doctor will formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan.
In some cases, doctors may mistake abdominal pain and gastrointestinal side effects for inflammatory bowel disease. For this reason, it’s important to report any long-term gastrointestinal effects to your doctor right away.
The most common treatment for PAN is a combination of prescription drugs, including:
High doses of corticosteroids, or steroids, control the symptoms of PAN by reducing inflammation and replacing certain hormones in the body. Corticosteroids can cause a number of side effects, especially when they’re taken in the oral form.
Corticosteroids can help keep your immune system from attacking your arteries, but other types of immunosuppressive medications may be necessary. This is especially true if your PAN symptoms are severe.
People with hepatitis infections primarily receive antiviral medications.
Conditions affecting the blood vessels are very serious. Damaged arteries can ultimately affect your brain, heart, and other vital organs.
The most common complications of PAN include:
The outlook for this condition depends on the course of treatment. People who don’t get medical care for this condition can die from related complications. On the flip side, taking prescribed medications on a regular basis can reduce PAN symptoms and improve your outlook. There’s no known way to prevent PAN, so your best chance for recovery is to stick to your treatment plan. The Cleveland Clinic notes that, on average, over 80 percent of people who experience PAN for five or more years survive.
Written by: Kristeen Moore
Medically reviewed on: Jan 11, 2016: Mark Laflamme, MD
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