Overview
Secondary vasculitis is a condition where the blood vessels become inflamed, but unlike primary vasculitis, this inflammation is caused by another underlying disease or trigger — such as an infection, an autoimmune condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, certain medications, or cancer. 'Secondary' simply means the vasculitis is a complication or side effect of something else happening in the body. The inflammation can affect small, medium, or large blood vessels anywhere in the body, which is why symptoms can vary so widely from person to person. When blood vessels become inflamed, they can swell, narrow, or even become blocked, reducing blood flow to important organs and tissues. This can damage the skin, kidneys, nerves, lungs, joints, and other organs. Common symptoms include skin rashes or purple spots, joint pain, fatigue, fever, and in more serious cases, kidney problems or nerve damage. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause — for example, treating the infection or adjusting medications — while also reducing the inflammation itself. Doctors often use corticosteroids like prednisone and other immune-suppressing medicines to calm the blood vessel inflammation. With the right treatment, many people with secondary vasculitis can improve significantly, though outcomes depend heavily on what is causing the vasculitis and how quickly it is diagnosed and treated.
Key symptoms:
Skin rash, often purple or red spots that do not fade when pressed (purpura)Joint pain and swellingFatigue and general feeling of being unwellFeverNumbness or tingling in the hands or feetMuscle weaknessAbdominal painBlood in the urine or foamy urine (sign of kidney involvement)Shortness of breathMouth sores or ulcersEye redness or vision changesWeight lossHigh blood pressure
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Secondary vasculitis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Secondary vasculitis at this time.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Secondary vasculitis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is causing my vasculitis, and how will treating that underlying cause affect my vasculitis?,Which organs are affected, and how serious is the damage right now?,What medications will I need, and what are the main side effects I should watch for?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what tests will I need regularly?,What symptoms should make me go to the emergency room right away?,Is my vasculitis likely to come back after treatment, and what can I do to reduce that risk?,Are there any lifestyle changes — such as diet, exercise, or avoiding certain medications — that could help my condition?
Common questions about Secondary vasculitis
What is Secondary vasculitis?
Secondary vasculitis is a condition where the blood vessels become inflamed, but unlike primary vasculitis, this inflammation is caused by another underlying disease or trigger — such as an infection, an autoimmune condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, certain medications, or cancer. 'Secondary' simply means the vasculitis is a complication or side effect of something else happening in the body. The inflammation can affect small, medium, or large blood vessels anywhere in the body, which is why symptoms can vary so widely from person to person. When blood vessels become inflamed, they
How is Secondary vasculitis inherited?
Secondary vasculitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Secondary vasculitis?
3 specialists and care centers treating Secondary vasculitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.