Polyarteritis nodosa

Description

Polyarteritis nodosa is an immunologically mediated systemic necrotising vasculitis affecting medium-sized vessels. In a few cases, the disease appears after viral infection but in the majority of cases there is no known triggering event. The clinical manifestations involve numerous organs and lead to a general alteration in the health status including rapid weight loss, paralysis of the peripheral nerves, renal disease, and digestive problems such as haemorrhages, perforation, appendicitis and pancreatitis. Arthralgia is almost always present and myalgia occurs in half of patients. Cardiac and cerebral anomalies (cephalalgia) are also reported, as well as ocular and genital (orchitis) manifestations.

Exclusions from above levels

• 02 – Neoplasms
• 18 – Complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
• 20 – Developmental anomalies