Objective: To analyze the role that infections play on the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) outcome.
Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients with AAV diagnosed in a tertiary center. Clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment, relapses, major infections, and outcome were evaluated.
Results: Included were 132 patients [51 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 52 granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), 29 eosinophilic GPA (EGPA)] with a mean followup of 140 (96-228) months. ANCA were positive in 85% of cases. A total of 300 major infections, mainly bacterial (85%), occurred in 60% patients during the followup. Lower respiratory tract (64%) and urinary tract infections (11%) were the most frequent, followed by bacteremia (10%). A total of 7.3% opportunistic infections were observed, most due to systemic mycosis. Up to 46% of all opportunistic infections took place in the first year of diagnosis, and 55% of them under cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment. Bacterial infections were associated with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (version 3) > 15 at the disease onset, a total cumulative CYC dose > 8.65 g, dialysis, and development of leukopenia during the followup. Leukopenia was the only factor independently related to opportunistic infections. Forty-four patients died, half from infection. Patients who had major infections had an increased mortality from any cause.
Conclusion: Our results confirm that major infections are the main cause of death in patients with AAV.
Keywords: ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES; INFECTIONS; SURVIVAL; VASCULITIS.