Relapse of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Case Report

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis, which affects small- and medium-sized blood vessels and is often associated with cytoplasmic ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) or c-ANCA. It was formerly called Wegener�s granulomatosis (WG). It mainly involves the upper and/or lower respiratory tract and kidneys. Renal involvement is characterized by rapidly progressive necrotizing glomerulonephritis. It affects multiple organs and organ systems and results in debilitation. Interventions in several areas are required to tackle GPA. They include interventions in healthcare professional and patient education, prescribing practices, diet, medication-taking behavior and lifestyle. With adequate monitoring of patient, morbidity and mortality among GPA patients can be reduced. Continuous learning programmes on GPA may be conducted for both professionals and practitioners for augmenting knowledge related to GPA. Here is a case of a relapse episode of GPA in a 64-year-old patient who developed acute renal failure, respiratory problems and edema and steroid-induced hypertension and oral candidiasis due to corticosteroid use.