Nomenclature of Vasculitides — An Update

In 1994, an international consensus conference addressed the nomenclature of systemic vasculitides and created three groups — large-, medium-, and small-vessel vasculitis (Arthritis Rheum 1994; 37:187). The group recently convened (for the first time since 1994) and updated and refined the nomenclature as follows:

—Large-vessel vasculitis (Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis)

—Medium-vessel vasculitis (polyarteritis nodosa, Kawasaki disease)

—Small-vessel vasculitis

• Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis [Wegener], eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis [Churg-Strauss])

• Immune complex vasculitis (antiglomerular basement membrane disease, cryoglob…