Longitudinal Study for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)
Longitudinal Study for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss)
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss) (EGPA) is a rare immune system
 disorder that causes asthma, an excessive number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell)
 in the blood, and the inflammation of blood vessels, or vasculitis. In order to properly
 treat EGPA, it is critical that the level of disease activity can be determined over the
 course of the disease. The purpose of this study is to determine new biological markers, or
 biomarkers, that may be used to assess the severity of this disease in people with EGPA.
EGPA, also known as allergic granulomatosis angiitis, is a systemic vasculitis. EGPA is
 marked by three distinct symptoms: asthma; eosinophilia, evidenced by an excessive number of
 eosinophils in the blood and tissues; and vasculitis involving the skin, lungs, nerves,
 kidneys, and other organs. Nerve involvement may also occur in EGPA, causing pain, tingling,
 numbness, and muscle wasting in the hands and feet. Because EGPA patients may not show any
 visible signs of active disease, current methods of monitoring disease progression usually
 represent a period of extended inflammation and disease activity. Thus, patients may go
 untreated during a period of undetectable disease when damage might be preventable. This
 study will use novel scientific methods to identify new biomarkers that can be used to
 monitor disease activity in EGPA patients. These biomarkers may be used to help direct
 clinical care for EGPA patients and assist in future drug development.

 Study visits will occur every 6 months, or annually. Blood and urine collection will occur at
 every visit. A physical exam and medical and medication history will at every visit; also,
 participants will be asked to complete several questionnaires to assess disease activity,
 health status, and tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis are eligible for
 the study.

 Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent, if applicable

 Exclusion Criteria:

 - Inability to give informed consent and to sign the consent form