Abstract: Primary Vasculitis at High Altitude

Primary Vasculitis at High Altitude

GAYATRI MITTAL, NAHREEN HASSO, and PETER MADDISON

ABSTRACT.

We describe a 34-year-old mountaineer who presented with gut infarction from necrotizing vasculitis, probably due to Churg-Strauss syndrome. Subsequently, relapses occurred whenever he climbed to 4000 meters. We hypothesize that the effects of vasculitis were compounded by the physiological changes at high altitude. We suggest that patients with systemic vasculitis should be cautious about climbing and trekking at high altitude. (J Rheumatol 2004;31:1450-1)

Key Indexing Terms:

POLYARTERITIS NODOSA
CHURG-STRAUSS SYNDROME
HIGH ALTITUDE
GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS
VASCULITIS

From the Department of Rheumatology, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Wales, UK.

G.A. Mittal, MD, Ross Clinical Research Fellow in Rheumatology; N. Hasso, MSc, Staff Grade Rheumatologist; P.J. Maddison, MD, FRCP, Consultant Rheumatologist and Professor of Muscle and Joint Diseases.

Address reprint requests to Dr. P. Maddison, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, LL57 2PW, North West Wales, UK. E-mail: peter.maddison@nww-tr.wales.nhs.uk

Submitted July 10, 2003; revision accepted January 23, 2004.