Clinical Burden and Costs of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Main Findings from REDCap Registry of a University Hospital in Spain.

Purpose: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) are rare chronic autoimmune diseases, potentially fatal, with frequent relapses. They are associated with vital organ damage, especially renal, often resulting in end-stage renal disease. While current standard of care with immunosuppressants has improved renal function and survival, the main risks for patients under life-long immunosuppression are infections and other concomitant diseases. This study evaluated the burden of AAV using patient-level data from a disease-specific registry. Patients and Methods: The cohort of incident AVV patients (2013-2022) in the REDCap registry in a university hospital in Spain was studied. Patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) and Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) with at least one year of follow-up (or deceased during the period) were included. Clinical outcomes, including Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and healthcare resource consumption were analysed for the first year after diagnosis. Mean annual costs were calculated using unitary costs from the hospital accounting department. Results: Seventy-five patients (12% EGPA, 32% GPA, and 56% MPA) were included. Fifty-two percent were women. Mean age at diagnosis was 65.20±14.70 years. At baseline, mean BVAS was 17.35±5.70, 93.33% of patients showed renal affectation, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 33.32±29.93mL/min/1.73m Conclusion: This study revealed a considerable burden of AAV, as evidenced by high rates of hospitalisation, relapses, and the need for intensive medical interventions.