Seasonal Influence on Development of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study Conducted at Multiple Institutions in Japan (J-CANVAS)

J Rheumatol. 2023 Sep;50(9):1152-1158. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.2023-0040. Epub 2023 Jun 1.

Abstract

Objective: To clarify seasonal and other environmental effects on the onset of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods: We enrolled patients with new-onset eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) registered in the database of a Japanese multicenter cohort study. We investigated the relationship between environmental factors and clinical characteristics. Seasons were divided into 4 (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), and the seasonal differences in AAV onset were analyzed using Pearson chi-square test, with an expected probability of 25% for each season.

Results: A total of 454 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 70.9 years and a female proportion of 55.5%. Overall, 74, 291, and 89 patients were classified as having EGPA, MPA, and GPA, respectively. Positivity for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA was observed in 355 and 46 patients, respectively. Overall, the seasonality of AAV onset significantly deviated from the expected 25% for each season (P = 0.001), and its onset was less frequently observed in autumn. In ANCA serotypes, seasonality was significant in patients with MPO-ANCA (P < 0.001), but not in those with PR3-ANCA (P = 0.97). Additionally, rural residency of patients with AAV was associated with PR3-ANCA positivity and biopsy-proven pulmonary vasculitis.

Conclusion: The onset of AAV was influenced by seasonal variations and was less frequently observed in autumn. In contrast, the occurrence of PR3-ANCA was triggered, not by season, but by rural residency.

Keywords: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis; eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; granulomatosis with polyangiitis; microscopic polyangiitis; seasonal variation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis*
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome* / complications
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / complications
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Microscopic Polyangiitis* / complications
  • Myeloblastin
  • Peroxidase
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Myeloblastin
  • Peroxidase