Giant cell arteritis: laboratory tests at the time of diagnosis in a series of 240 patients

Broadening the clinical spectrum of giant cell arteritis: from the classic cranial to the predominantly extracranial pattern of the disease

INTRODUCTION

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel (LV) vasculitis that affects people aged 50 years and older. Classically, GCA was considered a disease that involved branches of the carotid artery. However, the advent of new imaging techniques has allowed us to reconsider the clinical spectrum of this vasculitis.

AREASCOVERED

This review describes clinical differences between patients with the cranial GCA and those with a predominantly extracranial LV-GCA disease pattern. It highlights differences in the frequency of positive temporal artery biopsy depending on the predominant disease pattern and emphasizes the relevance of imaging techniques to identify patients with LV-GCA without cranial ischemic manifestations. The review shows that so far there are no well-established differences in genetic predisposition to GCA regardless of the predominant phenotype.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

The large branches of the extracranial arteries are frequently affected in GCA. Imaging techniques are useful to identify the presence of 'silent' GCA in people presenting with polymyalgia rheumatica or with nonspecific manifestations. Whether these two different clinical presentations of GCA constitute a continuum in the clinical spectrum of the disease or whether they may be related but are definitely different conditions needs to be further investigated.

Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary vasculitis and is associated with potential bilateral blindness. Neither clinical nor laboratory evidence is simple and unequivocal for this disease, which usually requires rapid and reliable diagnosis and therapy. The ophthalmologist should consider GCA with the following ocular symptoms: visual loss or visual field defects, transient visual disturbances (amaurosis fugax), diplopia, eye pain, or new onset head or jaw claudication. An immediate ophthalmological examination with slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, and visual field, as well as color duplex ultrasound of the temporal artery should be performed. If there is sufficient clinical suspicion of GCA, corticosteroid therapy should be initiated immediately, with prompt referral to a rheumatologist/internist and, if necessary, temporal artery biopsy should be arranged. Numerous developments in modern imaging with colour duplex ultrasonography, MRI, and PET-CT have the potential to compete with the classical, well-established biopsy of a temporal artery. Early determination of ESR and CRP may support RZA diagnosis. Therapeutically, steroid-sparing immunosuppression with IL-6 blockade or methotrexate can be considered. These developments have led to a revision of both the classification criteria and the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of the American College of Rheumatologists and the European League against Rheumatism, which are summarised here for ophthalmology.

[Internistic clarification of retinal vascular occlusions]

Retinal vascular occlusions require close cooperation of different medical disciplines to ensure optimal care of the affected patients. The medical clarification between arterial and venous occlusions is comparable but in the case of retinal arterial occlusions it should be carried out immediately. The most important associated diagnoses are arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation. In younger patients and in the absence of risk factors, a search for rarer causes should be carried out giant cell arteritis in particular should be excluded. In both types of occlusions a causative glaucoma must also be considered.

Giant cell arteritis-related cerebrovascular ischemic events: a French retrospective study of 271 patients, systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cerebrovascular ischemic events (CIE) are among the most severe complications of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Heterogeneity between different studies in the definition of GCA-related CIE leads to uncertainty regarding their real prevalence. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and describe the characteristics of GCA-related CIE in a well-phenotyped cohort completed by a meta-analysis of the existing literature.

METHODS

In this retrospective study performed in the Lille University Hospital, all consecutive patients with GCA according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria were included from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. A systematic review of the literature using MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. Cohort studies of unselected GCA patients reporting CIE were included in the meta-analysis. We calculated the pooled summary estimate of GCA-related CIE prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 271 GCA patients (89 males, mean age 72 ± 9 years) were included in the study. Among them, 14 (5.2%) presented with GCA-related CIE including 8 in the vertebrobasilar territory, 5 in the carotid territory, and 1 patient having multifocal ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes related to intra-cranial vasculitis. Fourteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, representing a total population of 3553 patients. The pooled prevalence of GCA-related CIE was 4% (95% CI 3-6, I2 = 68%). Lower body mass index (BMI), vertebral artery thrombosis on Doppler US (17% vs 0.8%, p = 0.012), vertebral arteries involvement (50% vs 3.4%, p < 0.001) and intracranial arteries involvement (50% vs 1.8%, p < 0.001) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and/or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and axillary arteries involvement on positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT) (55% vs 20%, p = 0.016) were more frequent in GCA patients with CIE in our population.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of GCA-related CIE was 4%. Our cohort identified an association between GCA-related CIE, lower BMI, and vertebral, intracranial, and axillary arteries involvement on various imaging modalities.

New-onset giant cell arteritis with lower ESR and CRP level carries a similar ischemic risk to other forms of the disease but has an excellent late prognosis: a case-control study

INTRODUCTION

Biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) occasionally presents without acute-phase reaction. In this setting, GCA may be initially overlooked and glucocorticoid treatment unduly delayed, potentially increasing ischemic risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From an inception cohort of patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-verified GCA, we retrieved all cases without elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level before starting glucocorticoid treatment. We compared the baseline features and outcomes of these patients and two additional patients recruited after GCA diagnosis with those of 42 randomly selected patients with high baseline ESR and CRP.

RESULTS

Of 396 patients, 14 (3.5%) had lower baseline values of both ESR and CRP. Lower baseline ESR and CRP were associated with fewer American College of Rheumatology criteria met (p < 0.001, 95% CI - 1.1; - 0.9), and less jaw claudication (p = 0.06, 95% CI 0.8; 44.9), but similar rates of permanent blindness (p = 1.0). Patients with lower ESR and CRP also showed obvious differences regarding mean blood cell counts and mean hemoglobin level, but also less anti-cardiolipin antibody positivity (p = 0.04, 95% CI 0.8; ^∞) and hepatic cholestasis (p = 0.03, 95% CI 1.0; 422). Patients with lower ESR and CRP had fewer GCA relapses (p = 0.03, 95% CI - 1.1; - 0.1), fewer glucocorticoid-induced complications (p = 0.01, 95% CI - 2.0; - 0.1), and successfully stopped glucocorticoids sooner than the other patients (18.3 months vs 34 months in average, p = 0.02, 95% CI - 27;- 0.9).

CONCLUSION

Biopsy-proven GCA presenting with lower ESR and CRP is not an exceptional occurrence. It is clinically less typical but carries similar ischemic risk to other forms of the disease. Conversely, the late GCA prognosis of these patients is excellent.

Giant cell arteritis: Update on clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis affecting people older than 50 years. The last decades have shed new light on the clinical paradigm of this condition, expanding its spectrum beyond cranial vessel inflammation. GCA can be now considered a multifaceted vasculitic syndrome encompassing inflammation of cranial and extra-cranial arteries and girdles, isolated or combined. Such heterogeneity often leads to diagnostic delays and increases the likelihood of acute and chronic GCA-related damage. On the other hand, the approach to suspected GCA patients has been revolutionized by the introduction of vascular ultrasound which allows a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive GCA diagnosis. Likewise, the use of tocilizumab is now part of the therapeutic algorithm of GCA and ensures a satisfactory disease control even in steroid-refractory patients. Nonetheless, some aspects of GCA still need to be clarified, including the clinical correlation of different histological patterns, and the prevention of long-term vascular complications. This narrative review depicts the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of GCA most relevant in clinical practice, with a focus on clinical updates and novelties introduced over the last decade.

Giant Cell Arteritis: Focusing on Current Aspects From the Clinic to Diagnosis and Treatment

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a granulomatous arteritis involving large arteries, particularly the aorta and its major proximal branches, including the carotid and temporal arteries. GCA involves individuals over 50 years old. The etiopathogenesis of GCA may involve a genetic background triggered by unknown environmental factors (eg infections), the activation of dendritic cells as well as inflammatory and vascular remodeling. However, its pathogenetic mechanism still remains unclear, although progress has been made in recent years. In the past, inflammatory markers and arterial biopsy were considered as gold standard for the diagnosis of GCA. However, emerging imaging methods have been made more sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of GCA. Treatment includes biological and other modalities including interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors.

Giant Cell Arteritis Mimicking Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Challenging Diagnosis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the middle and large arteries. Rural areas have many older patients with various symptoms, so large-vessel-type GCA should be managed effectively. Older patients tend to show vague symptoms that cannot be adequately diagnosed and observed. Here, we have encountered a case of a 91-year-old woman with a chief complaint of fatigue diagnosed with large-vessel type GCA in collaboration with a rural clinic. Effective collaboration between physicians in rural hospitals and clinics is necessary for diagnosing and treating large-vessel GCA. In rural areas, without adequate healthcare professionals, physicians should share their abilities and collaborate smoothly to mitigate delays in consultation and treatment. To effectively treat large vessel-type GCA, rural general physicians should be familiar with the clinical course of the disease and treatment for rural comprehensive care.

Temporal Artery Vascular Diseases

In the presence of temporal arteritis, clinicians often refer to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, differential diagnoses should also be evoked because other types of vascular diseases, vasculitis or not, may affect the temporal artery. Among vasculitis, Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is probably the most common, and typically affects the peri-adventitial small vessel of the temporal artery and sometimes mimics giant cell arteritis, however, other symptoms are frequently associated and more specific of ANCA-associated vasculitis prompt a search for ANCA. The Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can cause temporal arteritis as well. Some infections can also affect the temporal artery, primarily an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which has an arterial tropism that may play a role in triggering giant cell arteritis. Drugs, mainly checkpoint inhibitors that are used to treat cancer, can also trigger giant cell arteritis. Furthermore, the temporal artery can be affected by diseases other than vasculitis such as atherosclerosis, calcyphilaxis, aneurysm, or arteriovenous fistula. In this review, these different diseases affecting the temporal artery are described.

Atypical Large Vessel Vasculitis Presenting With Cholestatic Liver Abnormalities: Case-Based Review

ABSTRACT

Clinicians usually easily recognize cranial manifestations of giant cell arteritis (GCA) such as new-onset headache, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, and abrupt changes in visual acuity or blindness; however, when presented with an aberrant clinical course, the diagnosis becomes more elusive. In addition to temporal arteries and other extracranial branches of the carotid arteries, large vessel vasculitis (LVV) can also affect other blood vessels including coronary arteries, aorta with its major branches, intracranial blood vessels, and hepatic arteries.Over time, the scope of the symptoms typically associated with LVV has broadened and includes cases of fever of unknown origin accompanied with other constitutional symptoms that can mimic a range of neoplastic and infectious diseases. In up to half of patients with atypical LVV, liver enzyme level elevations with a cholestatic pattern have been observed. Alkaline phosphatase level and γ-glutamyl transferase level elevations tend to be more prevalent in those LVV patients with vigorous inflammatory responses, particularly in those with fever and other nonspecific constitutional symptoms. These patients also have more profound anemia and thrombocytosis. With the exception of rare instances of vasculitides and granulomas affecting the liver tissue, liver biopsy is generally of little help and primarily shows nonspecific changes of fatty liver.In this article, we review 3 patients who were eventually diagnosed with atypical LVV. The diagnosis was confirmed with temporal artery biopsy in 2 patients and with positron emission tomography/computed tomography in 1 patient. The common hepatic abnormality observed in all patients was the elevation of alkaline phosphatase level, which tended to respond rapidly to initiation of immunosuppressive treatment.

Headache Emergencies

Headache is a common reason for seeking medical attention. Most cases are benign primary headache disorders; however, there is significant overlap between symptoms of these disorders and secondary headaches. Differentiating these clinical scenarios requires a careful history with attention to red flag symptoms and a neurologic examination. These details can identify dangerous disorders: subarachnoid hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, elevated intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, arterial dissection, central nervous system infection, and inflammatory vasculitis. Older, pregnant, or immunocompromised patients have a higher risk for secondary disorders; clinicians should have a different threshold to conduct evaluations in such patients.

Large-vessel involvement is predictive of multiple relapses in giant cell arteritis

Background:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis. Relapses are frequent. The aim of this study was to identify relapse risk factors in patients with GCA with complete large-vessel imaging at diagnosis.

Methods:

Patients with GCA followed in our institution between April 1998 and April 2018 were included retrospectively. We included only patients who had undergone large vascular imaging investigations at diagnosis by computed tomography (CT)-scan and/or positron emission tomography (PET)-scan and/or angio-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical, biological, and radiological data were collected. Relapse was defined as the reappearance of GCA symptoms, with concomitant increase in inflammatory markers, requiring treatment adjustment. Relapsing patients (R) and non-relapsing patients (NR) were compared. Relapse and multiple relapses (>2) risk factors were identified in multivariable Cox analyses.

Results:

This study included 254 patients (73.2% women), with a median age of 72 years at diagnosis and a median follow up of 32.5 months. At diagnosis, 160 patients (63%) had an inflammatory large-vessel involvement on imaging, 46.1% (117 patients) relapsed at least once, and 21.3% (54 patients) had multiple relapses. The median delay of first relapse after diagnosis was 9 months. The second relapse delay was 21.5 months. NR patients had more stroke at diagnosis than R (p = 0.03) and the brachiocephalic trunk was involved more frequently on CT-scan (p = 0.046), as carotids (p = 0.02) in R patients. Multivariate Cox model identified male gender [hazard ratio (HR): 0.51, confidence interval (CI) (0.27–0.96), p = 0.04] as a relapse protective factor, and peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations [HR: 1.74 (1.03–2.94), p = 0.004] as a relapse risk factor. Peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations [HR: 2.78 (1.23–6.28), p = 0.014], negative temporal artery biopsy [HR: 2.29 (1.18–4.45), p = 0.015], large-vessel involvement like upper limb ischemia [HR: 8.84 (2.48–31.56), p = 0.001] and inflammation of arm arteries on CT-scan [HR: 2.39 (1.02–5.58), p = 0.04] at diagnosis were risk factors of multiple relapses.

Conclusion:

Male gender was a protective factor for GCA relapse and peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations appeared as a relapsing risk factor. Moreover, this study identified a particular clinical phenotype of multi-relapsing patients with GCA, characterized by peripheral musculoskeletal manifestations, negative temporal artery biopsy, and large-vessel involvement with upper limb ischemia or inflammation of arm arteries.

Plain language Summary

At giant cell arteritis diagnosis, large-vessel inflammatory involvement is predictive of multiple relapses

[Giant Cell Arteritis. Recommendations in Primary Care]

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic vasculitis with significant intra and extracranial involvement that, with early diagnosis and treatment in primary care, can improve its prognosis as it is a medical emergency. Our working group on vascular diseases of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) proposes a series of recommendations based on current scientific evidence for a multidisciplinary approach and follow-up in primary care.

Co-occurrence of unclassified myeloproliferative neoplasm and giant cell arteritis in a patient treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and literature review

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of hematologic disorders characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid lineage cells. The diagnostic criteria are based on morphological features of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells but also include specific genomic mutations. In some patients, co-occurrence of hematologic and rheumatic diseases could be observed. To date, most of the reported cases concerned patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). In this paper, we present a case of a patient with a complicated diagnostic process leading to the diagnosis of unclassified MPN and giant cell arteritis (GCA). Routine tests did not reveal any mutations typical for MPNs such as JAK-2, CALR, MPL or BCR-ABL. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) helped to confirm the diagnosis by demonstrating the presence of heterozygous ASXL1, TET2, SRSF2, and CBL mutations. The second important issue was the overlapping of symptoms of MPN and seronegative rheumatic disease, which finally was diagnosed as GCA. Leukocytosis and musculoskeletal pain, which were present at the time of diagnosis, resolved after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation but recurred after a few months along with decreasing donor cell chimerism. Differentiation of the causes of recurrence of the symptoms was an important issue. This case shows the diagnostic challenge posed by co-incidence of MPN and rheumatic disease, especially its atypical variants.

Limited utility of novel serological biomarkers in patients newly suspected of having giant cell arteritis

AIM

Diagnosing and monitoring vascular activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) is difficult due to the paucity of specific serological biomarkers. We assessed the utility of 8 novel biomarkers in an inception cohort of newly suspected GCA patients.

METHOD

Consecutive patients were enrolled between May 2016 and December 2017. Serum was collected within 72 hours of commencing corticosteroids and at 6 months. It was analyzed for levels of intra-cellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pentraxin 3, von Willebrand factor and procalcitonin (5-plex R&D Systems multiplex assay) and interleukin (IL)6, IL12 and interferon-γ (high-sensitivity 3-plex ProcartaPlex multiplex assay). A GCA specific positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) scan was performed at enrolment with uptake in each vascular territory graded and summed to derive a total vascular score (TVS).

RESULTS

For the 63 patients enrolled, 12 (19%) had a final diagnosis of biopsy-positive GCA and a further 9 had a clinical diagnosis of biopsy-negative GCA. None of the 8 biomarkers was significantly higher in GCA patients compared with those with alternative diagnoses, or demonstrated a positive correlation with the PET/CT TVS. This was in contrast to the C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which were higher in the biopsy-positive GCA cohort (P < .04) and showed weak positive correlations with the TVS (correlation coefficient 0.34, P < .01). Procalcitonin did not distinguish between GCA and infection. Concentrations of CRP, ESR, VEGF and pentraxin 3 decreased between diagnosis and 6 months in GCA patients.

CONCLUSION

This study did not identify new serological biomarkers to assist in diagnosing or assessing the vasculitis burden in GCA.

A Review of the Dermatological Complications of Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of large and medium-sized vessels. It is the most common vasculitis among elderly people in Europe and North America. GCA usually presents with ischemic cranial manifestations such as headache, scalp tenderness, visual manifestations, and claudication of the tongue and jaw. Thickness and tenderness of temporal arteries are the most recognizable signs of GCA on physical examination. Laboratory tests usually show raised acute phase reactants. Skin manifestations are uncommon in GCA and are rarely found as a presenting symptom of GCA. Necrosis of the scalp and tongue is the most common ischemic cutaneous manifestation of GCA. Although infrequent, when present it reflects severe affection and poor prognosis of GCA. Panniculitis-like lesions have been reported in the setting of GCA, with nodules being the most common finding. Other entities, such as generalized granuloma annulare or basal cell carcinoma have been occasionally described in GCA patients. Prompt recognition and initiation of therapy are crucial to prevent serious complications of GCA. When high suspicion of GCA exists, immediate administration of glucocorticoids is recommended. It is advisable to refer the patient to a specialist GCA team for further multidisciplinary assessment.

Giant Cell Arteritis and COVID-19: Similarities and Discriminators. A Systematic Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

To identify shared and distinct features of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) to reduce diagnostic errors that could cause delays in correct treatment.

METHODS

Two systematic literature reviews determined the frequency of clinical features of GCA and COVID-19 in published reports. Frequencies in each disease were summarized using medians and ranges.

RESULTS

Headache was common in GCA but was also observed in COVID-19 (GCA 66%, COVID-19 10%). Jaw claudication or visual loss (43% and 26% in GCA, respectively) generally were not reported in COVID-19. Both diseases featured fatigue (GCA 38%, COVID-19 43%) and elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP] elevated in 100% of GCA, 66% of COVID-19), but platelet count was elevated in 47% of GCA but only 4% of COVID-19 cases. Cough and fever were commonly reported in COVID-19 and less frequently in GCA (cough, 63% for COVID-19 vs 12% for GCA; fever, 83% for COVID-19 vs 27% for GCA). Gastrointestinal upset was occasionally reported in COVID-19 (8%), rarely in GCA (4%). Lymphopenia was more common in COVID-19 than GCA (53% in COVID-19, 2% in GCA). Alteration of smell and taste have been described in GCA but their frequency is unclear.

CONCLUSION

Overlapping features of GCA and COVID-19 include headache, fever, elevated CRP and cough. Jaw claudication, visual loss, platelet count and lymphocyte count may be more discriminatory. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of diagnostic confusion. We have designed a simple checklist to aid evidence-based evaluation of patients with suspected GCA.

Systematic literature review informing the 2018 update of the EULAR recommendation for the management of large vessel vasculitis: focus on giant cell arteritis

Objectives

To analyse the current evidence for the management of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) to inform the 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations.

Methods

Two systematic literature reviews (SLRs) dealing with diagnosis/monitoring and treatment strategies for LVV, respectively, were performed. Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 31 December 2017. Evidence on imaging was excluded as recently published in dedicated EULAR recommendations. This paper focuses on the data relevant to giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Results

We identified 287 eligible articles (122 studies focused on diagnosis/monitoring, 165 on treatment). The implementation of a fast-track approach to diagnosis significantly lowers the risk of permanent visual loss compared with historical cohorts (level of evidence, LoE 2b). Reliable diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for GCA are still not available (LoE 3b).The SLR confirms the efficacy of prompt initiation of glucocorticoids (GC). There is no high-quality evidence on the most appropriate starting dose, route of administration, tapering and duration of GC (LoE 4). Patients with GCA are at increased risk of dose-dependent GC-related adverse events (LoE 3b). The addition of methotrexate or tocilizumab reduces relapse rates and GC requirements (LoE 1b). There is no consistent evidence that initiating antiplatelet agents at diagnosis would prevent future ischaemic events (LoE 2a). There is little evidence to guide monitoring of patients with GCA.

Conclusions

Results from two SLRs identified novel evidence on the management of GCA to guide the 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations on the management of LVV.

[Eye involvement in large vesssel vasculitis (giant cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis)]

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis are both forms of large vessel vasculitis and can be manifested in the eye. While GCA affects patients over the age of 50 years, patients with Takayasu's arteritis are between 15 and 30 years old. The diagnosis is based on a combination of anamnesis, imaging and systemic inflammatory reactions. The diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy. Typical eye involvement of GCA are anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and central retinal artery occlusion, while Takayasu's arteritis involves hypertensive retinopathy and Takayasu's retinopathy (capillary dilatation, microaneurysms and arteriovenous anastomoses). The treatment consists of steroids in combination with classical immunosuppressants or biologics.

Giant cell arteritis: is the clinical spectrum of the disease changing?

Background

Giant cell arteritis is a vasculitis of large and middle-sized arteries that affects patients aged over 50 years. It can show a typical clinical picture consisting of cranial manifestations but sometimes nonspecific symptoms and large-vessel involvement prevail. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid irreversible damage.

Discussion

There has been an increasing knowledge on the occurrence of the disease without the typical cranial symptoms and its close relationship and overlap with polymyalgia rheumatica, and this may contribute to reduce the number of underdiagnosed patients. Although temporal artery biopsy is still the gold-standard and temporal artery ultrasonography is being widely used, newer imaging techniques (FDG-PET/TAC, MRI, CT) can be of valuable help to identify giant cell arteritis, in particular in those cases with a predominance of extracranial large-vessel manifestations.

Conclusions

Giant cell arteritis is a more heterogeneous condition than previously thought. Awareness of all the potential clinical manifestations and judicious use of diagnostic tests may be an aid to avoid delayed detection and consequently ominous complications.

Review: What Is the Current Evidence for Disease Subsets in Giant Cell Arteritis?

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune vasculitis affecting large and medium‐sized arteries. Ample evidence indicates that GCA is a heterogeneous disease in terms of symptoms, immune pathology, and response to treatment. In the current review, we discuss the evidence for disease subsets in GCA. We describe clinical and immunologic characteristics that may impact the risk of cranial ischemic symptoms, relapse rates, and long‐term glucocorticoid requirements in patients with GCA. In addition, we discuss both proven and putative immunologic targets for therapy in patients with GCA who have an unfavorable prognosis. Finally, we provide recommendations for further research on disease subsets in GCA.

Primary Care Vasculitis: Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are related inflammatory diseases of adults aged 50 years or older. The diagnosis of PMR is based on morning stiffness, proximal shoulder and pelvic girdle pain, and functional impairment. GCA is characterized by headache, jaw claudication, and visual disturbances. Constitutional symptoms and elevated inflammatory markers are common to both conditions. Temporal artery biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of GCA. Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of therapy, with tapering regimens individualized to the patient. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to avert vision loss in GCA. Tocilizumab increases remission rates in GCA.

Tocilizumab in the treatment of giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic vasculitis of large vessels, manifesting mainly as temporal arteritis or large vessel vasculitis of the aorta and its branches. Glucocorticoid therapy is essential and so far had to be continued over a period of 1.5–2 years, resulting in relevant morbidity through adverse effects. With the approval of tocilizumab, an effective glucocorticoid sparing option is now available. In two randomized controlled trials, a profound reduction of cumulative glucocorticoid dose, prolonged relapse-free remission and reduced number of adverse events in the treatment groups have been demonstrated. Therefore, tocilizumab constitutes a novel therapeutic option in giant cell arteritis. Its differential role in different subgroups, timing of tocilizumab therapy and optimal treatment duration remain to be determined.

Recent Advances in Giant Cell Arteritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis. GCA is categorized as a granulomatous vasculitis of large and medium size vessels. Majority of the symptoms and signs of GCA result from involvement of the aorta and its branches intra- and extracranial. Temporal artery biopsy continues to be the cardinal diagnostic procedure despite new imaging modalities for diagnosing GCA with cranial involvement. Great advances in awareness have led to improvement in preventing irreversible vision loss due to early diagnosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The cause of GCA has not been elucidated but major progress has been made in the knowledge of its pathogenesis leading to new therapeutic targets, particularly inhibition of interleukin 6. IL 6 plays a key role in the regulation of TH17/Tregs imbalance in GCA and appears to correlate with clinical disease activity in GCA. All of this has led to the first FDA (food and drug administration) approved treatment for GCA, Tocilizumab. Abatacept and Ustekinumab are promising targets for therapy in LVV but still need further research. This paper is a review of the recent progress in the understanding of GCA pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Biological treatments in giant cell arteritis & Takayasu arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are the two main large vessel vasculitides. They share some similarities regarding their clinical, radiological and histological presentations but some pathogenic processes in GCA and TAK are activated differently, thus explaining their different sensitivity to biological therapies. The treatment of GCA and TAK essentially relies on glucocorticoids. However, thanks to major progress in our understanding of their pathogenesis, the role of biological therapies in the treatment of these two vasculitides is expanding, especially in relapsing or refractory diseases. In this review, the efficacy, the safety and the limits of the main biological therapies ever tested in GCA and TAK are discussed. Briefly, anti TNF-α agents appear to be effective in treating TAK but not GCA. Recent randomized placebo-controlled trials have reported on the efficacy and safety of abatacept and mostly tocilizumab in inducing and maintaining remission of GCA. Abatacept was not effective in TAK and robust data are still lacking to draw any conclusions concerning the use of tocilizumab in TAK. Furthermore, ustekinumab appears promising in relapsing/refractory GCA whereas rituximab has been reported to be effective in only a few cases of refractory TAK patients. If a biological therapy is indicated, and in light of the data discussed in this review, the first choice would be tocilizumab in GCA and anti-TNF-α agents (mainly infliximab) in TAK.

Giant Cell Arteritis: Practical Pearls and Updates

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to summarize recent updates and distill practical points from the literature which can be applied to the care of patients with suspected and confirmed giant cell arteritis (GCA).

RECENT FINDINGS

Contemporary thinking implicates a fundamental failure of T regulatory cell function in GCA pathophysiology, representing opportunity for novel therapeutic avenues. Tocilizumab has become the first Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for GCA following demonstration of efficacy and safety in a phase 3 clinical trial. There have been significant parallel advances in both our understanding of GCA pathophysiology and treatment. Tocilizumab, and other agents currently under investigation in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, presents a new horizon of hope for both disease remission and avoidance of glucocorticoid-related complications.

Visual loss and other cranial ischaemic complications in giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in individuals aged 50 years and over. GCA typically affects large and medium-sized arteries, with a predilection for the extracranial branches of the carotid artery. Patients with GCA usually present with symptoms and signs that are directly related to the artery that is affected, with or without constitutional manifestations. The most dreaded complication of GCA is visual loss, which affects about one in six patients and is typically caused by arteritis of the ophthalmic branches of the internal carotid artery. Before the advent of glucocorticoid treatment, the prevalence of visual complications was high. Increasing awareness by physicians of the symptoms of GCA and advances in diagnostic techniques over the past twenty years have also contributed to a substantial decline in the frequency of permanent visual loss. Ischaemic brain lesions are less common than visual lesions, and mostly result from vasculitis of the extradural vertebral or carotid arteries. In the case of both the eye and the brain, ischaemic damage is thought to result from arterial stenosis or occlusion that occurs secondary to the inflammatory process. The inflammatory response at the onset of arteritis, its role as a predictor of complications and the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors have been extensively investigated in the past decade. In this Review, the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentation and current therapeutic approach of GCA-related ischaemic events are discussed, with a particular emphasis on visual loss.

Clinical predictors of positive temporal artery biopsy

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the ability of known clinical signs and symptoms, as well as common laboratory tests, to correctly predict a positive temporal artery biopsy.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients in a tertiary referral centre undergoing temporal artery biopsy.

METHODS

Clinical information was collected using a predesigned questionnaire. Pathology results and laboratory information were collected from digital patient records.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The predictive value of clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory values of a positive temporal artery biopsy.

RESULTS

Over a 3-year period, 259 patients were enrolled and 251 patients were analyzed. Sixty-one patients had a positive biopsy. Clinical features most predictive of a positive biopsy were jaw claudication (positive likelihood ratio [LR+] 2.31) and abnormal temporal artery pulse (LR+ 2.62). Receiver operating characteristic curves generated for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and platelets values showed an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.71, 0.75, and 0.76, respectively. The initiation of steroids decreased the diagnostic utility of the ESR, CRP, and platelets values (AUC = 0.58, 0.61, and 0.63, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of clinical signs and symptoms were observed in patients referred for a temporal artery biopsy. Clinical signs and symptoms were less accurate in predicting a positive biopsy than laboratory tests. No combination of clinical signs and symptoms tested was able to predict giant cell arteritis with the certainty necessary to justify or withhold long-term steroid therapy.

Visual Complications in Patients with Biopsy-proven Giant Cell Arteritis: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) with visual complications, and to evaluate the incidence rate of visual complications in GCA compared to the background population.

METHODS

Data from 840 patients with GCA in the county of Skåne, Sweden, diagnosed between 1997 and 2010, were used for this analysis. Cases with visual complications were identified from a diagnosis registry and confirmed by a review of medical records. The rate of visual complications in patients with GCA was compared with an age- and sex-matched reference population.

RESULTS

There were 85 patients (10%) who developed ≥ 1 visual complication after the onset of GCA. Of the patients, 18 (21%) developed unilateral or bilateral complete visual loss. The mean age at diagnosis was 78 years (± 7.3); 69% were women. Compared with patients without visual complications, those with visual complication had lower C-reactive protein levels at diagnosis and were less likely to have headache, fever, and palpable abnormal temporal artery. The use of β-adrenergic inhibitors was associated with visual complications. The incidence of visual complications among patients with GCA was 20.9/1000 person-years of followup compared to 6.9/1000 person-years in the reference population, resulting in a rate ratio of 3.0 (95% CI 2.3-3.8).

CONCLUSION

Ten percent of patients with GCA developed visual complications, a rate substantially higher than that of the general population. Patients with GCA who had visual complications had lower inflammatory responses and were more likely to have been treated with β-adrenergic inhibitors compared with patients without visual complications.

A Retrospective Study of Chinese Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): Clinical Features and Factors Associated With Severe Ischemic Manifestations

A retrospective study was performed on 70 giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of these Chinese GCA patients and explore the possible associated factors for severe ischemic manifestations. Medical charts of all patients were reviewed, and the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed. The mean age at disease onset was 65.2 years old, and the ratio of male to female was 1:1. Fever and headache were most prominent symptoms at onset, which occurred in 51.4% and 30.0% of patients, respectively. Common manifestations at diagnosis were constitutional symptoms (85.7%), headache (68.8%), visual impairment (38.6%), jaw claudication (30%), scalp tenderness (30%), and concurrent polymyalgia rheumatic (27.1%). No significant difference in clinical manifestations between genders was observed. Comparisons between patients with and without severe ischemic manifestations including jaw claudication, permanent visual loss, or cerebrovascular accident had shown that fever and asthenia were significantly less frequent in patients with severe ischemic manifestations (P = 0.006 and 0.023, respectively), and the mean value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly lower in patients with severe ischemic manifestations than patients without (P = 0.001). History of smoking was more frequent in patients with severe ischemic manifestations (P = 0.038). This is the largest group of GCA patients from China so far. When compared our data with patients reported in the literature, this series of GCA patients were younger and without female predominance. The clinical manifestations of patients in this report were similar to other studies except for a higher prevalence of constitutional symptoms. The results of this study indicated that lower systemic inflammatory response and the history of smoking might be associated with severe ischemic damages.

Anemia in a middle aged female with aortitis: a case report

Background

Idiopathic aortitis is among the most common causes of non-infectious aortitis, which rarely presents with anemia.

Case presentation

Here we report a case of a 49-year-old muhajir female who presented with shortness of breath and easy fatigability for the past 6 months. Physical examination revealed pallor and a diastolic murmur in the aortic region. Echocardiography showed thickened and calcified aortic and mitral valves, severe aortic regurgitation and dilatation of ascending aorta. She was advised aortic valve replacement and was referred to a haematologist due to concomitant anemia. Complete blood counts revealed haemoglobin: 7.7 gm/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 78 fl, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH):23 pg, total white cell count: 9.0 × 10⁹/L and platelet count: 227 × 10⁹/L. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 100 mm/hr. There was suspicion of myelodysplastic syndrome, but could not be confirmed as the patient refused bone marrow and cytogenetic studies. She was given erythropoietin, folic acid and ferrous sulphate. Following relatively prolonged therapy, her haemoglobin level increased to approximately 9.0 gm/dL. She was transfused with packed red cells and underwent aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement. The ascending aorta was dilated and aortic wall markedly thick and irregular. Histopathology of the resected aorta revealed granulomatous aortitis. She was prescribed prednisolone, which resulted in further incremental rise of haemoglobin to 13.1 gm/dL. One month later, she developed complaints of blurred vision in the right eye and was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion. She was treated with antiplatelet agents and her vision improved. After 3 months, she was asymptomatic and her haemoglobin level rose to 11.2 gm/dL without hematinic therapy or blood transfusion. She was begun on anticoagulant therapy and remains clinically stable.

Conclusion

We report a case of idiopathic aortitis with presumed diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease exhibiting a transient response towards steroid therapy post-valvuloplasty.

Giant cell arteritis: a closer look at its ophthalmological manifestations

Giant cell arteritis with ocular involvement is an ocular emergency. Arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AAION) is the most common ophthalmological manifestation associated with this disease. Visual loss is usually permanent with rare cases showing visual recovery. Visual improvement, if it occurs, is generally limited, and the visual field defects are persistent and severe. The main goal of AAION treatment is the preservation of vision in the fellow eye. In patients with neurophthalmological manifestations, high-dose corticosteroids should be initiated immediately and aggressively, and maintained thereafter. We present a case of AAION and severe vision loss where significant visual recovery was seen after treatment.

Ocular pulse amplitude as a diagnostic adjunct in giant cell arteritis

BACKGROUND

To develop an algorithm based on the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) to predict the probability of a positive temporal artery biopsy (TAB) result in the acute phase of suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA).

METHODS

Unilateral TAB was performed and ipsilateral OPA measurements were taken by Dynamic Contour Tonometry. Among the clinical signs and laboratory findings tested in univariate analyses, OPA, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and thrombocyte count showed a strong association with a positive TAB result. Algorithm parameters were categorized into three groups (OPA >3.5, 2.5-3.5, and <2.5 mm Hg; ESR <25, 25-60, and >60 mm/h; thrombocyte count <250'000, 250'000-500'000, and >500'000/μl). Score values (0, 1, and 2) were attributed to each group, resulting in a total score range from 0 to 6. A univariate logistic regression analysis using the GCA diagnosis as the dependent and the total score as the independent variate was fitted and probability estimates were calculated.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients with suspected GCA undergoing TAB during an eighteen-month observation period were enrolled. Twenty patients showed histologically proven GCA. Four patients had score values ≤2, fourteen between 3 and 4, and thirteen of ≥5. The corresponding estimated probabilities of GCA were<7, 52.6, and >95%.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirms previous findings of reduced OPA levels, elevated ESR, and elevated thrombocyte counts in GCA. It indicates that a sum score based on OPA, ESR, and thrombocyte count can be helpful in predicting TAB results, especially at the upper and the lower end of the sum score range.

Giant cell arteritis: diagnosis and treatment

Giant cell arteritis is the most common primary systemic vasculitis in adults. The condition is granulomatous arteritis of large and medium vessels, which occurs almost exclusively in patients aged 50 years or more. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Platelet counts as a biomarker in ANCA-associated vasculitis

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether platelet (PLT) counts might serve as a biomarker to distinguish between active anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and remission and also between active disease and systemic infection.

METHOD

PLTs were analysed before treatment in patients with AAV in the active state and in remission. PLTs were also analysed in AAV patients with acute infections. The results were correlated with clinical manifestations, the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score version 3 [BVAS(v.3)], and other laboratory findings [i.e. C-reactive protein (CRP), leucocytes, differential count, procalcitonin (PCT)]. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

PLT counts were significantly increased in 98 patients with AAV during the active disease state [median: 405 PLTs/nL; interquartile range (IQR) 288-504] compared to patients in remission (246 PLT/nL; IQR 214-289) (p < 0.001). We found a correlation of PLT counts in active disease with the BVAS(v.3) (r = 0.582, p < 0.001). In AAV patients with systemic infections (n = 37), PLT counts exhibited significantly lower values (226 PLT/nL; IQR 163-273) compared to patients with active disease (p < 0.001). In the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) of PLTs was significantly larger when distinguishing active disease from systemic infection (AUC 0.868) compared to leucocytes (AUC 0.590), CRP (AUC 0.522), or procalcitonin (AUC 0.515) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PLT counts were found to correlate with disease activity in AAV and thus may be used to represent immunological activity. In addition, PLT counts serve as a marker that can distinguish acute infection from active disease.

Clinical diagnosis and management of large vessel vasculitis: giant cell arteritis

Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) covers a spectrum of primary vasculitides predominantly affecting the aorta and its major branches. The two main subtypes are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). Less commonly LVV occurs in various other diseases. Clinical manifestations result from vascular stenosis, occlusion, and dilation, sometimes complicated by aneurysm rupture or dissection. Occasionally LVV is discovered unexpectedly on pathological examination of a resected aortic aneurysm. Clinical evaluation is often unreliable in determining disease activity. Moreover, the diagnostic tools are imperfect. Acute phase reactants can be normal at presentation and available imaging modalities are more reliable in delineating vascular anatomy than in providing reliable information on degree of vascular inflammation. Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy of LVV. Patients may develop predictable adverse effects from long-term glucocorticoid use. Several steroid-sparing agents have also shown some promise and are currently in use. Endovascular revascularization procedures and open surgical treatment for aneurysms and dissections are sometimes necessary, but results are not always favorable and relapses are common. This article, the first in a series of two, will be devoted to GCA and isolated (idiopathic) aortitis, while TA will be covered in detail in the next article.