Reasonable Hypothesis SOP [1] | 33 of 2020 |
Balance of Probabilities SOP [2] | 34 of 2020 |
SOP bulletin 214 [3]
ICD Coding
Polyarteritis nodosa is a systemic, necrotising, inflammation (vasculitis) of medium-sized or small arteries. The condition does not involve veins and mostly spares arterioles, capillaries, and venules.
This diagnosis is complex. The condition needs to be distinguished from multiple other types of vasculitis and related disorders, but particularly microscopic polyangiitis. Characteristic clinical findings and laboratory and radiological results may indicate the diagnosis, but confirmation really requires histology from biopsy of an affected organ.
There is no specific specialist physician for this disease with the relevant specialty being related to the site or sites of the vasculitis.
* another SOP applies
# non-SOP condition
The condition typically presents with systemic symptoms (fatigue, weight loss, weakness, fever, arthralgias) and signs of multisystem involvement (skin lesions, hypertension, renal insufficiency, neurologic dysfunction, abdominal pain). It is a rare disease, presenting mostly in middle aged or older adults.
Treatment depends on the severity and extent of disease. Glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive drugs are used. The condition is moderately responsive to treatment. Remission occurs in a percentage of patients but the condition may relapse or progress. Impaired renal and cardiac function and cerebral infarction may all occur and the condition has a significant mortality rate.
Links
[1] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2020/77ad51a408/033.pdf
[2] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2020/288a3724cd/034.pdf
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/system/files/media/SOP%20bulletin%20214_0.pdf