Association between environmental exposures and granulomatosis with polyangiitis in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis. While aetiology is unknown the prominent respiratory involvement suggests inhaled antigens may be involved. The aim of this study was to identify environmental risk factors associated with GPA in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Association of HLA-DRB1 amino acid residues with giant cell arteritis: genetic association study, meta-analysis and geo-epidemiological investigation.

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune disease commonest in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Previous studies report various associations with HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-DRB1*01; HLA-DRB1 alleles show a gradient in population prevalence within Europe. Our aims were (1) to determine which amino acid residues within HLA-DRB1 best explained HLA-DRB1 allele susceptibility and protective effects in GCA, seen in UK data combined in meta-analysis with previously published data, and (2) to determine whether the incidence of GCA in different countries is associated with the population prevalence of the HLA-DRB1 alleles that we identified in our meta-analysis.

HLA allele variation as a potential explanation for the geographical distribution of granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Objective: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare autoimmune systemic vasculitis considered to result from the interaction of environmental factors with a genetically predisposed host. The HLA-DPB1*0401 allele, the PI*Z allele of the gene encoding α1-antitrypsin (SERPINA1) and the proteinase 3 (PRTN3) gene have been associated with GPA. The incidence of GPA is lower in non-Caucasian populations and has been associated with higher latitude.

The contrasting epidemiology of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) and microscopic polyangiitis.

Objectives: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) are uncommon and have unknown aetiology. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiology of GPA and MPA in a stable, well-defined population looking for differences in the pattern of occurrence, which might suggest a different aetiology.

Methods: Since 1988, we have maintained a prospective register of all patients with systemic vasculitis attending the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The epidemiology of Takayasu arteritis in the UK.

Objectives: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a large-vessel vasculitis of unknown aetiology. The annual incidence in hospital-based studies is 1-2/million. The UK General Practice Research Database (UKGPRD) contains complete primary care records on 3.

Development and validation of a consensus methodology for the classification of the ANCA-associated vasculitides and polyarteritis nodosa for epidemiological studies.

Background: The classification of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) for epidemiology studies is confusing. The existing schemes such as American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC) definitions and Lanham criteria produce overlapping and conflicting classifications, making it difficult to compare incidence figures.

Aim: To develop a consensus method of using these criteria and definitions for epidemiological studies to permit comparison without confounding by classification.

What is known about the epidemiology of the vasculitides?

The vasculitides are conditions of unknown aetiology. Until recently, relatively little was known about their incidence and prevalence, but there are now increasing data, especially from Europe. These are conditions of the extremes of age.

Rheumatoid vasculitis: becoming extinct?

Background: Systemic rheumatoid vasculitis (SRV) is a relatively rare complication of RA. The incidence of SRV appeared to increase during the 1970s and 1980s from 6.0 to 12.