What causes Takayasu arteritis?
No one knows exactly what causes the initial inflammation in Takayasu’s arteritis. The condition is likely an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your own arteries by mistake. The disease may be triggered by a virus or other infection.
What is the life expectancy of someone with Takayasu arteritis?
Takayasu arteritis is a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder. The overall 10-year survival rate is approximately 90%; however, this rate is reduced in the presence of major complications. The 5- and 10-year survival rates are approximately 69% and 36%, respectively, in patients with 2 or more complications.
Can Takayasu arteritis be cured?
Although there is no cure for Takayasu’s arteritis, it is a treatable disease. Most people who have it improve with treatment. However, for many people, TAK can be partially, or less often, completely disabling. The effects of illness on function may be significant.
Is Takayasu arteritis life threatening?
Takayasu arteritis can be life-threatening by an occlusion of the ascending aorta and its major branches, without any coronary arteries involvement.
Is Takayasu arteritis reversible?
As the disease process progresses, there is irreversible damage.
How is Takayasu arteritis treated?
Treatment of Takayasu’s arteritis focuses on controlling inflammation with medications and preventing further damage to your blood vessels….Treatment
- Corticosteroids to control inflammation.
- Other drugs that suppress the immune system.
- Medications to regulate the immune system.
Who gets Takayasu arteritis?
Who gets Takayasu arteritis? TAK primarily affects Asian women and teen-aged girls. Nine out of 10 patients are female, with age of onset between 15 and 40 years old. However, the disease can affect children and adults of both sexes, and all races and ethnic groups.
Does Takayasu disease cause pain?
Takayasu disease is a chronic inflammation of the large blood vessels that distributes blood from the heart. The cause of Takayasu disease is unknown. Symptoms of Takayasu disease include painful, cool, or blanched extremities, dizziness, headaches, chest pain, and abdominal pain.
Is Takayasu arteritis a disability?
If the symptoms of your arteritis are severe enough to affect your ability to function or work, you may be eligible for disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Is Takayasu arteritis rare?
Takayasu arteritis is a rare disorder characterized by the progressive inflammation of one or more of the larger arteries leading from the heart. The main artery of the heart (aorta) and the pulmonary (lung) artery, among others, may be affected.
What is Takayasu arteritis?
Arteritis is a general term that refers to the inflammation of arteries, or blood vessels ( vasculitis ), that carry blood away from the heart. Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) is an uncommon form of vasculitis.
What are the complications of Takayasu’s arteritis (aneurysm)?
Having an aneurysm increases the risk of an aortic dissection — a tear in the lining of the aorta, shown in the image on the right. With Takayasu’s arteritis, cycles of inflammation and healing in the arteries might lead to one or more of the following complications:
What kind of doctor should I See for Takayasu’s arteritis?
If your primary care doctor suspects that you have Takayasu’s arteritis, he or she may refer you to one or more specialists with experience in helping people with this condition. Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare disorder that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.
Which medications are used in the treatment of Takayasu’s arteritis?
Examples are etanercept (Enbrel) and infliximab (Remicade). Small studies have found these medications effective at controlling signs and symptoms, as well as at reducing the need for corticosteroid treatments. In addition, tocilizumab (Actemra) has been reported to be beneficial in treating Takayasu’s arteritis.