Why carry out this study?

The heterogeneous nature of systemic vasculitis presents a diagnostic challenge, which may delay early diagnosis and cause notable expense.

Little is known about the diagnostic delay and economic burden of systemic vasculitis.

What was learned from the study?

This study analyzed the diagnostic delay in systemic vasculitides, their total cost during the first year, and how the diagnosis delay affects the costs.

There is a substantial diagnostic delay that correlates significantly with the higher costs in tertiary-level health care.

The highest costs are due to hospitalization. Faster diagnostic methods could reduce health care costs.