PALERMO. They are shapes rare, but they can seriously compromise vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, skin, heart, eyes, ENT system, gastrointestinal system and nervous system. Some recently published studies would have suggested an increase in the annual number of new cases of approximately 1.5 times. We’re talking about hip-associated vasculitis, diseases that affect no more than 100 inhabitants out of a million and of which Sicily represents a center of excellence in Italy for its treatment, withthe “Giaccone” Polyclinic on the front line.
Here too, as in all of Italy, the first one has recently been available therapy targeted capable of blocking the receptor of a protein present in the blood that is part of the immune system and thus reducing the inflammation of the blood vessels and alleviating the symptoms of the disease. However, Sicily in general represents an excellence in Italy for the treatment of these pathologies, with its five specialized centers including, in fact, the “Giaccone” Polyclinic in Palermo. All information can be found on www.malattieraresicilia.it.
«The new cure, avacopan, is an oral drug that was developed for the treatment of the two most common forms of hip-associated vasculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis – explains Giuliana Guggino, full professor of Rheumatology at the University of Palermo and head of the Rheumatology Unit of the P. Giaccone Polyclinic. It acts by blocking a part of the complement system, involved in inflammatory reactions. By inhibiting the activity of C5a receptoravacopan aims to reduce inflammation and to maintain control of the immune response, which is altered in vasculitis. With avacopan, a remission of the disease was noted at 26 and 52 weeks, reaching the same level superior drug to standard therapy. The drug is reimbursable from June.”
Vasculitis is a rare disease, it was said, but strongly disabling: pain, depression, exhaustion, isolation and asthenia are just some of the problems reported by patients. Mostly progressive disease: this means that the damage can gradually worsen as time passes.
«Patients affected by ANCA-associated vasculitis often present a complicated picture that requires timely and early treatment treatment to block the disease and avoid complications – adds Professor Guggino – Una diagnosis early and timely and adequate treatment can help improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients suffering from these autoimmune diseases.
