Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease of unknown etiology.
It is a rare and deadly form of vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), The inflammation limits the flow of blood to important organs, causing damage. It can affect any organ, but it mainly affects the sinuses, nose, trachea (windpipe), lungs, and kidneys.
The cause of GPA is unknown. It can affect people at any age. Men and women are equally affected. It is more common in whites.
Wegener's is extremely difficult to diagnose as its symptoms in the initial phase are not distinguishable from the symptoms of many other common diseases. Symptoms may include joint pain, weakness, tiredness, and cold symptoms such as a runny nose that doesn't get better, difficulty breathing and chest pain. It is generally only diagnosed after many other common diseases have been ruled out.
Doctors use blood tests, chest X-rays, and biopsies to diagnose GPA and rule out other causes of the symptoms.
It is distinguished from other forms of vasulitis by the presence of granuloma . The most determinant blood test is the C-ANCA.
As such, because of its rarity and indistinguishable symptoms, it is considered one of the ultimate zebra diagnoses.
Wegener's is a frequent differential on the show, but it only appeared at the end of Season 7, where is was almost mistaken for cancer. This was not a stretch as both conditions respond well to chemo therapy and the granulomas can be mistaken for tumors, particularly where they cannot be biopsied.
Until the widespread development of steroids and immunosuppressants, Wegener's was a virtual death sentence with most patients dying within a year of diagnosis. However, modern steroids and immunosupressents can control the disease, although they cannot cure it. Most patients now live a normal life span, although they may suffer from flare-ups of symptoms from time to time.