Description

The Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis Damage Index (SNVDI) was developed to evaluate permanent damage caused by scarring in patients with a systemic vasculitis like polyarteritis nodosa or the Churg Strauss syndrome. The authors are from the Wellesley Hospital in Toronto.


Criteria for injury

(1) non-reversible change

(2) not related to active disease

(3) occurring after the onset of the vasculitis

 

Systems involved:

(1) ocular

(2) pulmonary

(3) cardiovascular

(4) peripheral vascular

(5) gastrointestinal

(6) gonads

(7) renal

(8) skin

(9) neurological

(10) malignancy

(11) diabetes mellitus

(12) musculoskeletal

 

System

Finding

Points if Present

ocular (either eye)

cataract or cataract surgery

1

 

retinal change > 6 months

1

 

acute irreversible visual loss

2

pulmonary

pulmonary fibrosis

1

 

pulmonary infarction

1

 

pulmonary function test abnormality for > 6 months

1

cardiovascular

angina > 6 months, OR coronary artery bypass

1

 

myocardial infarction

1

 

additional myocardial infarction(s)

1

 

cardiomyopathy

1

 

valvular disease with murmur > 3/6

1

 

arrhythmia > 6 months

1

peripheral vascular

hypertension > 6 months, requiring therapy

1

 

claudication > 6 months

1

 

tissue loss (pulp space, digit, limb, gangrene, amputation)

1

 

venous thrombosis with swelling, ulceration or venous stasis

1

 

peripheral vascular repair

1

gastrointestinal

infarction or resection of bowel below duodenum

2

 

infarction of spleen, liver, gallbladder, or appendix

1

 

mesenteric insufficiency > 6 months

1

 

upper gastrointestinal tract peptic ulcer disease > 6 months

1

gonads

premature gonadal failure

1

renal

creatinine clearance < 50% for > 6 months OR dialysis OR transplant

2

skin

scarring

1

neurological

fixed motor neuropathy

2

 

fixed sensory neuropathy

1

 

fixed cranial neuropathy

2

 

major seizures requiring therapy

2

 

cerebral vascular accident

2

 

cognitive impairment > 6 months

2

malignancy

 

2

diabetes

 

1

musculoskeletal

osteoporosis with fracture or vertebral collapse

1

 

avascular necrosis

1

 

osteomyelitis

1

 

where:

• A pulmonary function test abnormality includes either diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide < 70%, OR ratio FEV1 to FVC < 75%.

• Cardiomyopathy involves echocardiographic demonstration of ventricular dysfunction.

• The reduction in creatinine clearance may be estimated or measured.

• Cognitive impairment involves a memory deficit; difficulty with calculation, concentration, spoken language, written language, or performance level; dementia; delirium.

 

SNV damage index =

= SUM(points for all of the findings present)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 44

• The higher the score, the greater the permanent damage caused by the vasculitis.


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