[Systemic vasculitides classification]

Abstract

Systemic vasculitides are inflammatory diseases of blood vessels of various sizes, which mechanisms are different according to diseases. Classification can be made according to vessel size, histology and pathogenesis. Giant cell arteritis comprises Horton's disease and Takayasu's arteritis. Different mechanisms have been individualized in the group of necrotizing vasculitides: some are associated with ANCA and other to immune complexes. Other mechanisms have not been yet identified. One of the major purposes of classification is to describe adequately diseases and their outcome, then to treat them appropriately.