1. Rheumatoid Arthritis Slideshow Pictures
2. Joint-Friendly Exercises Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the RA Quiz

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) facts
• What is polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)?
• What are causes and risk factors for polyarteritis nodosa?
• What are symptoms and signs of polyarteritis nodosa?
• How is polyarteritis nodosa diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for polyarteritis nodosa?
• What is the outlook (prognosis) of polyarteritis nodosa?
• Can polyarteritis nodosa be prevented?
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Polyarteritis Nodosa Index

Polyarteritis is a serious illness that can be fatal. Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of the arteries by suppressing the immune system. Medications used to treat polyarteritis nodosa include high-dose intravenous and oral cortisone medications such as prednisone, as well as immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) or azathioprine (Imuran).

When hepatitis B is present in patients with polyarteritis, antiviral medications (such as vidarabine and interferon-alpha) are used as primary treatments. Treatments have included various combinations of antiviral medications, plasma exchange, and immunosuppressive drugs.

The outlook for patients with polyarteritis nodosa depends on the degree of damage to affected organs and the response to treatments. For those patients with underlying hepatitis B infection, eradication of the virus is essential for optimal outcome.

The only prevention for polyarteritis nodosa is to avoid the risk of hepatitis B.

REFERENCES:

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

Ruddy, Shaun, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 2000.