2021 American College of Rheumatology/Vasculitis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis (Part 2)
We now continue with our discussion of the guidelines of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in relation to the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitides (AAV).
We learned last week that ANCA-AAV is comprised of the diseases known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).
Now, we move towards the discussion on how the ACR guideline was developed.
The formation of the guideline followed the ACR guideline development process that utilized the methodology known as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). This kind of method was used to assess the quality of evidence and that would eventually lead to recommendations.
ACR policy also manages the interest and disclosures in order to curb conflict of interest.
The Literature Review team of ACR initiated a systematic literature review (SLR) to address certain clinical populations, interventions, comparators, and outcomes (PICO).
Around 11 patients with different types of vasculitis were guided by a member of the Literature Review team, which is known as the Patient Panel.
This Patient Panel took a look of the pieces of evidence and came up with patient opinions and ideas.
The Voting Panel is made up of 9 adult rheumatologists, 5 pediatric rheumatologists, and 2 patients; they reviewed the Literature Review team’s pieces of evidence and voted on recommendations.
The Voting Panel was formed as part of ACR’s effort to develop recommendations for several kinds of vasculitis and related diseases.
The clinicians included rheumatologists who were able to provide insight on all of these diseases.
We will continue with our discussion on this topic next week.