What is Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (formerly called Wegener’s Granulomatosis) is a rare autoimmune disease in which blood vessels and other tissues become inflamed. This inflammation limits blood flow to important organs in the body, potentially leading to long-term damage. Disease onset and severity varies among patients, and earlier diagnosis and treatment can prevent life-threatening organ failure. Although the disease can involve any organ system, GPA mainly affects the respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) and kidneys. This disorder can affect people at any age and strikes men and women equally. Compared to other racial groups, Caucasians are more commonly affected. The most common sign of GPA is upper respiratory tract distress such as sinus pain, discolored or bloody fluid from the nose, and nasal ulcers. A common sign of the disease is a constant runny nose or other cold symptoms that do not respond to usual treatment or become increasingly worse.