Takayasu's arteritis (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

What is Takayasu's arteritis?
Takayasu's arteritis is an inflammatory disease  of unknown etiology  that affects the aorta  and its branches. Although it has been reported worldwide, it shows a predilection for young Asian women. Females with this disease outnumber males by 8:1, and the age of onset is typically between 15 and 30 years. In the Western world, atherosclerosis is a more frequent cause of obstruction of the aortic arch vessels than  is Takayasu's arteritis.

What are the symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis?
About half of all patients develop an initial systemic illness with symptoms of malaise, fever, night sweats, weight loss, arthralgia, and fatigue. There is often an anemia and marked elevation of the ESR. This phase gradually subsides and is followed by a more chronic  stage characterized by inflammatory and obliterative changes in the  aorta and its branches. The other half of patients with Takayasu's arteritis present with only late vascular changes, without an antecedent  systemic illness. In the late stage, weakness of the arterial walls may give rise to localized aneurysms.

Four types of late-phase Takayasu arteritis are described on the basis of  the sites of involvement as follows:


 * Type I - Classic pulseless type that involves the brachiocephalic trunk, carotid arteries, and subclavian  arteries
 * Type II - Combination of type I and III
 * Type III - Atypical coarctation type that involves the thoracic and abdominal  aortas distal to the arch and its major branches
 * Type IV - Dilated type that involves extensive dilatation of the length of the  aorta and its major branches

Treatment
The great majority of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis respond to prednisone. The usual starting dose is  approximately 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day (for most   people, this is approximately 60 milligrams a day). Because of the  significant side effects of long-term high–dose  prednisone  use, the starting dose is tapered over several weeks to a  dose that the  physician   feels is tolerable for the patient.

Where to find medical care for Takayasu's arteritis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Takayasu's arteritis