Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis is a rare disorder that results mainly affects small and medium size blood vessels in the respiratory tract, including in the sinuses, nasal cavity and lungs. It can also involve other parts of the body including the kidneys, skin, nerves, and joints.

GPA belongs to a family of arthritic diseases called vasculitis. The word vasculitis means inflammation of blood vessels.

The cause of GPA isn’t known, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disease. This means that it is thought that the disease is caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own blood vessels causing inflammation. It’s thought that an environmental trigger is involved in the development of GPA although this trigger is not known.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a very serious illness that is best treated as early and aggressively as possible to prevent further damage to the blood vessels and organs.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a rare disorder. It is estimated to affect only 1 person in every 25,000. The disorder usually strikes people in middle age, but younger and older people can also develop the condition.