A Study of the Risk of Blood Clots in Patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Scientific Study Title:

Increased Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: A Population-Based Study

Study Start Date:

2016   

Study End Date: 

2017

What Did We Do?

Using a population-based database that includes all people living in British Columbia, we looked at the rate of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) in patients diagnosed with GPA compared to the general population (people who did not have GPA).

What Did We Find?

Patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly known as Wegener’s disease) have a much higher risk of blood clots in the lungs and legs.  For GPA patients, it is recommended more attention should be given to monitor for these complications, especially early after diagnosis.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator: 

J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Investigators:

Alice Mai MD, Resident Physician, Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Neda Amiri, MD, Resident Physician, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Ju Ann Tan, MSc candidate, Arthritis Research Canada

Hyon Choi, MD, DrPH, FRCPC, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (Harvard Medical School)

Research Staff:

Lynn Nowoselski, MPH, Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada

Eric C Sayre, PhD, Statistician, Arthritis Research Canada

Who Funded This Research?

This study was funded by the Canadian Arthritis Network, The Arthritis Society of Canada/the British Columbia Lupus Society, and The Canadian Institutes of Health Research.