ANCA TITRE

[Christophene47]

If you are positive for C-ANCA, is it the same thing as being PR3 positive? And does the titre number mean anything about disease activity ?eg. high titre, more ill;; low titre, less ill?

In your experiences, what is the best treatment for skin manifestations?

[John_Mills Volunteer]

cANCA and anti PR3 are the same and are usually associated with GPA ( WG ). High titre doe suggest a higher level of disease activity but it is not a wholly reliable guide. Skin manifestions are just a sign of the underlying disease so the answer is to treat the underlying disease not mess about treating the skin.

John

[Christophene47 in reply to John_Mills]

Thanks, John. I have been confused about this because one rheumatologist diagnosed GPA with a PR3 titre of 1.6. A second opinion from a vasculitis specialist thought I was "on a continuum of an inflammatory arthritis; wasn't ready to confirm GPA with a. weak titre "at this time" is how she put it, It was 1.1 by the time I could get an appointment with her after 6 months on prednisone. She also "discounted " a granuloma annulare." I had a biopsy of from my hand.

I was tapering prednisone per her suggestion and down to 8mg from 16mg when I lost vision for a few minutes in 1 eye. . Results pending on duplex doppler of carotid s and orbits. ordered by neuroophthalmologist.

Original rheumatologist put me on 1x week Methotrexate and keeping me at 8mg prednisone, and sent me to hematology for high white count which I assume is from prednisone. Guess defensive medicine!? The hematologist ordered a repeat CBC and a blood flow oximeter test; results pending.

I imagine these drugs should be treating the skin, but so far not too well. On Methotrexate 5 or 6 weeks now.

There also seems to be different techniques used by different labs, and therefore different parameters. As you know, all very confusing after 18 months. Still not feeling "normal."

Thanks very much for your reply.