Vasculitis
The renal vasculitis clinic provides multidisciplinary care to patients with vasculitis living in west London and beyond. Kidney specialists work in close collaboration with lung, skin, and ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
We are at the forefront of research in vasculitis. We are embedded in the Centre of Excellence for Vasculitis Research at Imperial College London and we work closely with national and international networks in vasculitis, including the United Kingdom and Ireland Vasculitis Rare Disease group
What is Vasculitis?
Vasculitis means inflammation of the blood vessels. It is classified as an autoimmune disorder, which occurs when the body’s natural defence system against infection mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. The underlying cause of vasculitis is often unknown, though it is sometimes triggered by infection, medication, genetic or environmental factors, allergic reactions, or another disease.
There are many different forms of vasculitis, and many share similar symptoms and treatment courses. However, each disease is distinct. The clinic usually sees patients with the following types of small vessel vasculitis:
- ANCA-associated vasculitis
- granulomatosis with polyangiitis (previously known as Wegener’s granulomatosis)
- microscopic Polyangiitis
- eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also known as Churg Strauss syndrome)
- anti-GBM disease (or Goodpasture Disease)
- cryoglobulinaemia
- IgA vasculitis (or Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
- urticarial vasculitis (or hypocomplementaemic vasculitis)
- polyarteritis nodosa
Vasculitis can affect any of the blood vessels of the body. Symptoms and treatment depend on which organs and tissues are affected and can vary from person to person. Some forms of the disease are mild and may improve on their own, while others involve critical organ systems (such as the kidneys or lungs) requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
It is common for people with vasculitis to experience periods of relapse and remission, so regular doctor visits and follow-up monitoring are recommended. Proper treatment and ongoing medical care can improve the quality of life and prognosis for people with vasculitis.
Contact details
Consultant Nephrologists (Kidney Specialists)
- Dr Tom Cairns
- Dr Marie Condon
- Dr Megan Griffith
- Prof Jeremy Levy
- Dr Stephen McAdoo
- Prof Fred Tam
- Dr Nicholas Medjeral-Thomas
Consultant ENT Surgeon (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist)
- Ms Romana Kuchai
Consultant Respiratory Physician (Lung Specialist)
- Dr Katie Ward
Consultant Dermatologist (Skin Specialist)
- Dr Ashley Spencer
For patients with large vessel vasculitis
(e.g. giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis) which less commonly affect the kidneys, we recommend referral to Consultant Rheumatologists:
- Professor Justin Mason
- Dr Taryn Youngstein
When/where our clinics take place
Clinics
Tuesday
Address: Renal Outpatients Department, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, LONDON W12 OHS.
Hours: 09:00 – 12:00 noon
Email: imperial.gnclinic@nhs.net
Clinic phone number: 0208 383 4268
Healthcare professional guidance and referral to the service
Referrals can be directed to any of the named Consultants
Imperial Vasculitis Clinic,
Hammersmith Hospital,
Du Cane Road,
London W12 OHS.
Patient information
For up-to-date advice on Covid-19 for patients living with vasculitis:
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