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Open Access 24-06-2024 | ANCA-Associated Vasculitis | Review

Classification Criteria for ANCA Associated Vasculitis – Ready for Prime Time?

Authors: Jens Rathmann, Aladdin J. Mohammad

Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports | Issue 9/2024

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to summarize the evolution and recent developments in the classification of ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) and to summarize evaluations of the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria of AAV in several cohorts.

Recent Findings

The classification of AAV has been a field of controversy for some time. The parallel existence of classification criteria and disease definitions produced some overlap in classification, leading to challenges when comparing different cohorts. The 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria derived from the largest study ever conducted in vasculitis account for significant changes in vasculitis classification with the integration of ANCA and modern imaging. These criteria show good performance compared to previous ones but also raise questions as ANCA serotypes have substantial impact on classification. In addition, there are some discrepancies with earlier agreed histopathological features of AAV disease phenotypes.

Summary

During the last 35 years, several sets of classification criteria have evolved to facilitate epidemiologic studies and clinical trials in AAV. While some of these criteria have been in use for many years, they were criticized due to either not using ANCA or not integrating surrogate markers for vasculitis but also due to overlapping when used in parallel. The long-awaited new ACR/EULAR criteria for AAV were published in 2022 and are the result of a large international study, introducing for the first time ANCA and modern imaging in the classification of AAV. Though the criteria show good performance, they bring several other challenges with practical application.

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Title: Classification Criteria for ANCA Associated Vasculitis – Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Jens Rathmann
Aladdin J. Mohammad
Publication date: 24-06-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Diagnostics in Rheumatology
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Vasculitis
Vasculitis
ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports / Issue 9/2024
Print ISSN: 1523-3774
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-024-01154-9

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