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Hellmich B, Mucke J, Aringer M. [Head-to-head studies on connective tissue diseases and vasculitides]. Z Rheumatol 2024:10.1007/s00393-024-01537-4. [PMID: 39017966 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-024-01537-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Head-to-head (H2H) studies enable the direct comparison of several alternative therapeutic approaches and thus provide the evidence-based foundation for the relative position of one treatment as compared to others for a specific indication. These trials constitute an important addition to placebo-controlled clinical trials. Among the controlled clinical trials not performed by the pharmaceutical industry, there are a relevant number of H2H trials for connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and vasculitides, particularly for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). This article encompasses a review of the H2H trials for CTDs and vasculitides and discusses their relevance for current treatment algorithms. For SLE the H2H trials were predominantly performed for the treatment of lupus nephritis, demonstrating the impact of low-dose cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate as well as azathioprine for maintenance therapy. In recent H2H trials rituximab could be established as induction and maintenance therapy for AAV, which has now been incorporated into current treatment guidelines. Further comparative trials will be necessary in order to select the most effective and safest treatment for every patient, in the sense of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Rheumatologie, Pneumologie, Nephrologie und Diabetologie, Europäisches Vaskulitis-Referenzzentrum (ERN-RITA), medius KLINIKEN KIRCHHEIM & NÜRTINGEN, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Tübingen, Eugenstr. 3, 73230, Kirchheim unter Teck, Deutschland.
| | - Johanna Mucke
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Hiller-Forschungszentrum für Rheumatologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland
| | - Martin Aringer
- Bereich Rheumatologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III und Universitätscentrum für Autoimmun- und Rheumatische Erkrankungen (UCARE), Universitätsklinikum und Medizinische Fakultät, TU Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
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2
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Schmidt WA, Schäfer VS. Diagnosing vasculitis with ultrasound: findings and pitfalls. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2024; 16:1759720X241251742. [PMID: 38846756 PMCID: PMC11155338 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x241251742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatologists are increasingly utilizing ultrasound for suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Takayasu arteritis (TAK). This enables direct confirmation of a suspected diagnosis within the examination room without further referrals. Rheumatologists can ask additional questions and explain findings to their patients while performing ultrasound, preferably in fast-track clinics to prevent vision loss. Vascular ultrasound for suspected vasculitis was recently integrated into rheumatology training in Germany. New European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations prioritize ultrasound as the first imaging tool for suspected GCA and recommend it as an imaging option for suspected TAK alongside magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Ultrasound is integral to the new classification criteria for GCA and TAK. Diagnosis is based on consistent clinical and ultrasound findings. Inconclusive cases require histology or additional imaging tests. Robust evidence establishes high sensitivities and specificities for ultrasound. Reliability is good among experts. Ultrasound reveals a characteristic non-compressible 'halo sign' indicating intima-media thickening (IMT) and, in acute disease, artery wall oedema. Ultrasound can further identify stenoses, occlusions and aneurysms, and IMT can be measured. In suspected GCA, ultrasound should include at least the temporal and axillary arteries bilaterally. Nearly all other arteries are accessible except the descending thoracic aorta. TAK mostly involves the common carotid and subclavian arteries. Ultrasound detects subclinical GCA in over 20% of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients without GCA symptoms. Patients with silent GCA should be treated as GCA because they experience more relapses and require higher glucocorticoid doses than PMR patients without GCA. Scores based on intima-thickness (IMT) of temporal and axillary arteries aid follow-up of GCA, particularly in trials. The IMT decreases more rapidly in temporal than in axillary arteries. Ascending aorta ultrasound helps monitor patients with extracranial GCA for the development of aneurysms. Experienced sonologists can easily identify pitfalls, which will be addressed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang A. Schmidt
- Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Lindenberger Weg 19, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Valentin S. Schäfer
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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3
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Ness T, Nölle B. Giant Cell Arteritis. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2024; 241:644-652. [PMID: 38593832 DOI: 10.1055/a-2252-3371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ness
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Deutschland
- Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Bernhard Nölle
- Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Deutschland
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4
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Zarnowski J, Kooybaran NR, Simon JC, Grunewald S. Reconstruction of an extensive scalp defect under high-dose immunosuppression. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:717-719. [PMID: 38476089 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zarnowski
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
| | - Neda Rahbar Kooybaran
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medicine Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan C Simon
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonja Grunewald
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Zarnowski J, Kooybaran NR, Simon JC, Grunewald S. Rekonstruktion eines ausgedehnten Skalpdefektes unter hochdosierter Immunsuppression. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:717-719. [PMID: 38730511 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15366_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zarnowski
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
| | - Neda Rahbar Kooybaran
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
| | - Jan C Simon
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
| | - Sonja Grunewald
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
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6
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Kaymakci MS, Warrington KJ, Kermani TA. New Therapeutic Approaches to Large-Vessel Vasculitis. Annu Rev Med 2024; 75:427-442. [PMID: 37683286 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-060622-100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are large-vessel vasculitides affecting the aorta and its branches. Arterial damage from these diseases may result in ischemic complications, aneurysms, and dissections. Despite their similarities, the management of GCA and TAK differs. Glucocorticoids are used frequently but relapses are common, and glucocorticoid toxicity contributes to significant morbidity. Conventional immunosuppressive therapies can be beneficial in TAK, though their role in the management of GCA remains unclear. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors improve remission rates and appear to limit vascular damage in TAK; these agents are not beneficial in GCA. Tocilizumab is the first biologic glucocorticoid-sparing agent approved for use in GCA and also appears to be effective in TAK. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of both conditions and the availability of targeted therapies hold much promise for future management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut S Kaymakci
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; ,
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; ,
| | - Tanaz A Kermani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Santa Monica, California, USA;
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7
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Dejaco C, Kerschbaumer A, Aletaha D, Bond M, Hysa E, Camellino D, Ehlers L, Abril A, Appenzeller S, Cid MC, Dasgupta B, Duftner C, Grayson PC, Hellmich B, Hočevar A, Kermani TA, Matteson EL, Mollan SP, Neill L, Ponte C, Salvarani C, Sattui SE, Schmidt WA, Seo P, Smolen JS, Thiel J, Toro-Gutiérrez CE, Whitlock M, Buttgereit F. Treat-to-target recommendations in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:48-57. [PMID: 36828585 PMCID: PMC10803996 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2022-223429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop treat-to-target (T2T) recommendations in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted to retrieve data on treatment targets and outcomes in GCA/PMR as well as to identify the evidence for the effectiveness of a T2T-based management approach in these diseases. Based on evidence and expert opinion, the task force (29 participants from 10 countries consisting of physicians, a healthcare professional and a patient) developed recommendations, with consensus obtained through voting. The final level of agreement was provided anonymously. RESULTS Five overarching principles and six-specific recommendations were formulated. Management of GCA and PMR should be based on shared decisions between patient and physician recognising the need for urgent treatment of GCA to avoid ischaemic complications, and it should aim at maximising health-related quality of life in both diseases. The treatment targets are achievement and maintenance of remission, as well as prevention of tissue ischaemia and vascular damage. Comorbidities need to be considered when assessing disease activity and selecting treatment. CONCLUSION These are the first T2T recommendations for GCA and PMR. Treatment targets, as well as strategies to assess, achieve and maintain these targets have been defined. The research agenda highlights the gaps in evidence and the need for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dejaco
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Graz, Austria
- Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck (ASAA-SABES), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsius Medical University, Brunico, Italy
| | - Andreas Kerschbaumer
- Abteilung für Rheumatologie, Medizinische Universitat Wien Universitatsklinik fur Innere Medizin III, Wien, Austria
| | - Daniel Aletaha
- Department of Rheumatology, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Milena Bond
- Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck (ASAA-SABES), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsius Medical University, Brunico, Italy
| | - Elvis Hysa
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Dario Camellino
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 3 Genovese, Arenzano, Italy
| | - Lisa Ehlers
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charite Medical Faculty Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andy Abril
- Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Simone Appenzeller
- Departamento de Clínica Médica. Facultade de Ciências Medicas da UNICAMP, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maria C Cid
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Christina Duftner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Internal Medicine II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter C Grayson
- National Institutes of Health/NIAMS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Rheumatolgie und Immunologie, Medius Kliniken Kirchheim/Teck, University Tübingen, Kirchheim-Teck, Germany
| | - Alojzija Hočevar
- Department of Rheumatology, Universitiy Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanaz A Kermani
- Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eric L Matteson
- Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Susan P Mollan
- Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Neurometabolism, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lorna Neill
- Patient Charity Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis Scotland, Nethy Bridge, UK
| | - Cristina Ponte
- Rheumatology, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Unit of Rheumatology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sebastian Eduardo Sattui
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Philip Seo
- Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Josef S Smolen
- Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Jens Thiel
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Graz, Austria
- Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, UK
| | - Carlos Enrique Toro-Gutiérrez
- Reference Center in Osteoporosis, Rheumatology & Dermatology, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Frank Buttgereit
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Goulabchand R, Qian AS, Nguyen NH, Singh AG, Roubille C, Parreau S, Singh N, Singh S. Burden, Causes, and Outcomes of Hospitalization in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis: A US National Cohort Study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2023; 75:1830-1837. [PMID: 36576029 PMCID: PMC10300231 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has a relapsing-remitting course and is associated with a high burden of comorbidities, leading to repeated hospitalizations. This study was undertaken to investigate the burden, risk factors, causes, and outcomes of hospitalization and readmission in GCA patients in a US national cohort. METHODS Using the 2017 US National Readmission Database, we identified adults ≥50 years of age hospitalized with GCA between January and June 2017, with at least 6 months of follow-up. We estimated the burden of hospitalization including 6-month risk of readmission, total days spent in hospital, and costs, annually. We examined patient-, hospital-, and index hospitalization-related factors for 6-month readmission and total days of hospitalization using binomial logistic regression. RESULTS Our study included 1,206 patients hospitalized with GCA (70% women, median age 77 years), with 13% of patients experiencing GCA-related ophthalmologic complications at index hospital admission. On follow-up, 3% died, and 34% of patients were readmitted within 6 months, primarily for infections (23%) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (15%). Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of ≥1, smoking, and obesity were associated with readmission. GCA patients spent a median of 5 days/year in hospital (interquartile range [IQR] 3-11), with those in the top quartile spending 19 days/year in hospital (IQR 14-26). CONCLUSION GCA patients frequently experience unplanned health care utilization, with 1 in 3 patients experiencing readmission within 6 months, and 3% dying within the follow-up period. Infection and CVDs are common causes of readmission and may be related to glucocorticoid exposure. Population health management strategies are required in these vulnerable GCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radjiv Goulabchand
- Radjiv Goulabchand, MD, PhD: CHU Nimes, University of Montpellier, Nîmes, France, and University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Alexander S. Qian
- Alexander S. Qian, MD, Nghia H. Nguyen, MD, Abha G. Singh, MD, Camille Roubille, MD, PhD, Siddharth Singh, MD, MS: University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Nghia H. Nguyen
- Alexander S. Qian, MD, Nghia H. Nguyen, MD, Abha G. Singh, MD, Camille Roubille, MD, PhD, Siddharth Singh, MD, MS: University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Abha G. Singh
- Alexander S. Qian, MD, Nghia H. Nguyen, MD, Abha G. Singh, MD, Camille Roubille, MD, PhD, Siddharth Singh, MD, MS: University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Camille Roubille
- Alexander S. Qian, MD, Nghia H. Nguyen, MD, Abha G. Singh, MD, Camille Roubille, MD, PhD, Siddharth Singh, MD, MS: University of California San Diego, La Jolla
| | - Simon Parreau
- Simon Parreau, MD, MSCI: Limoges University Hospital Center, Limoges, France
| | - Namrata Singh
- Namrata Singh, MD, MSCI: University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Siddharth Singh
- Alexander S. Qian, MD, Nghia H. Nguyen, MD, Abha G. Singh, MD, Camille Roubille, MD, PhD, Siddharth Singh, MD, MS: University of California San Diego, La Jolla
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Tomelleri A, van der Geest KSM, Khurshid MA, Sebastian A, Coath F, Robbins D, Pierscionek B, Dejaco C, Matteson E, van Sleen Y, Dasgupta B. Disease stratification in GCA and PMR: state of the art and future perspectives. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023:10.1038/s41584-023-00976-8. [PMID: 37308659 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00976-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are closely related conditions characterized by systemic inflammation, a predominant IL-6 signature, an excellent response to glucocorticoids, a tendency to a chronic and relapsing course, and older age of the affected population. This Review highlights the emerging view that these diseases should be approached as linked conditions, unified under the term GCA-PMR spectrum disease (GPSD). In addition, GCA and PMR should be seen as non-monolithic conditions, with different risks of developing acute ischaemic complications and chronic vascular and tissue damage, different responses to available therapies and disparate relapse rates. A comprehensive stratification strategy for GPSD, guided by clinical findings, imaging and laboratory data, facilitates appropriate therapy and cost-effective use of health-economic resources. Patients presenting with predominant cranial symptoms and vascular involvement, who usually have a borderline elevation of inflammatory markers, are at an increased risk of sight loss in early disease but have fewer relapses in the long term, whereas the opposite is observed in patients with predominant large-vessel vasculitis. How the involvement of peripheral joint structures affects disease outcomes remains uncertain and understudied. In the future, all cases of new-onset GPSD should undergo early disease stratification, with their management adapted accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tomelleri
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Kornelis S M van der Geest
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alwin Sebastian
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Fiona Coath
- Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Westcliff-on-sea, UK
| | - Daniel Robbins
- Medical Technology Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
| | - Barbara Pierscionek
- Faculty of Health Education Medicine and Social Care, Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford Campus, Chelmsford, UK
| | - Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck (ASAA-SABES), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Bruneck, Italy
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eric Matteson
- Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yannick van Sleen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bhaskar Dasgupta
- Rheumatology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital, Westcliff-on-sea, UK.
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10
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Sachdev A, Dubey S, George M, Crossman R, Mehta P. Role of Temporal artery biopsy in a sequential Giant Cell Arteritis fast-track pathway: a 5-year prospective study. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:1614-1618. [PMID: 35948689 PMCID: PMC10219934 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing number of centres are establishing sequential fast track pathways (FTP) for management of giant cell arteritis (GCA), with temporal artery ultrasound (US) replacing temporal artery biopsy (TAB) as the first investigational method. Biopsy is performed as second investigation, when US is negative/inconclusive. This study investigates the role of TAB in a sequential GCA-FTP and its utility in those with negative/inconclusive US. METHODS Prospective study of patients referred for TAB as part of Coventry sequential GCA-FTP May 2014-June 2019. Analysis included sensitivity and specificity of TAB, impact of arterial specimen length and duration of treatment with corticosteroids on sensitivity of TAB and the clinical predictors for a positive biopsy. RESULTS A total of 1149 patients with suspected GCA were referred to this GCA-FTP, with 109 (9.5%) referred for TAB. Overall sensitivity of TAB was 47% (specificity: 100%) and in patients with negative/inconclusive US sensitivity was 39% (specificity:100%). Post-fixation arterial specimen length <15 mm showed lower sensitivity (14%), which increased to 52% when specimen length was ≥15 mm. Sensitivity of TAB was highest in first 7 (60%) to 10 days (59%) from starting corticosteroids. Predictors of positive biopsy using univariate logistic regression analysis were jaw claudication (OR = 5.40; p = 0.0057), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR = 5.50; p = 0.013) and elevated C-reactive protein (OR = 23.7; p = 0.0043). CONCLUSION This is the first study to look at the role of TAB in a sequential GCA-FTP. Biopsy plays an important role in GCA-FTP, when US is negative/inconclusive. Sensitivity of TAB improved when specimen length was ≥15 mm and performed within 10 days of commencing corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Sachdev
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | - Shirish Dubey
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew George
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Purnima Mehta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
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11
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Correia JA, Crespo J, Alves G, Salvador F, Matos-Costa J, Alves JD, Fortuna J, Almeida I, Campar A, Brandão M, Faria R, Marado D, Oliveira S, Santos L, Silva F, Vasconcelos C, Fernandes M, Marinho A. Biologic therapy in large and small vessels vasculitis, and Behçet's disease: Evidence- and practice-based guidance. Autoimmun Rev 2023:103362. [PMID: 37230310 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vasculitis are a very heterogenous group of systemic autoimmune diseases, affecting large vessels (LVV), small vessels or presenting as a multisystemic variable vessel vasculitis. We aimed to define evidence and practice-based recommendations for the use of biologics in large and small vessels vasculitis, and Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS Recommendations were made by an independent expert panel, following a comprehensive literature review and two consensus rounds. The panel included 17 internal medicine experts with recognized practice on autoimmune diseases management. The literature review was systematic from 2014 until 2019 and later updated by cross-reference checking and experts' input until 2022. Preliminary recommendations were drafted by working groups for each disease and voted in two rounds, in June and September 2021. Recommendations with at least 75% agreement were approved. RESULTS A total of 32 final recommendations (10 for LVV treatment, 7 for small vessels vasculitis and 15 for BD) were approved by the experts and several biologic drugs were considered with different supporting evidence. Among LVV treatment options, tocilizumab presents the higher level of supporting evidence. Rituximab is recommended for treatment of severe/refractory cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Infliximab and adalimumab are most recommended in treatment of severe/refractory BD manifestations. Other biologic drugs can be considered is specific presentations. CONCLUSION These evidence and practice-based recommendations are a contribute to treatment decision and may, ultimately, improve the outcome of patients living with these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Araújo Correia
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Crespo
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Glória Alves
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira, Centro Hospitalar Alto Ave, Rua dos Cutileiros 4810-055, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Unidade de Doenças Autoimunes, Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Avenida da Noruega, 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - João Matos-Costa
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Hospital Distrital de Santarém, Avenida Bernardo Santareno, 2005-177 Santarém,Portugal
| | - José Delgado Alves
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, IC19 - 2720-276, Amadora, Portugal; 4Immune Response and Vascular Disease Unit - iNOVA4Health, NOVA Medical School; R. Câmara Pestana 6, 1150-082 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jorge Fortuna
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Almeida
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Campar
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Brandão
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Faria
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Marado
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Oliveira
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, IC19 - 2720-276, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Lelita Santos
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, R. Larga 2, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal; CIMAGO, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, R. Larga 2, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fátima Silva
- Serviço de Medicina Interna, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Vasconcelos
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Milene Fernandes
- RWE & Late Phase, CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services Unipessoal Lda, R. Tierno Galvan, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Marinho
- Unidade de Imunologia Clínica, Departamento de Medicina, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB - Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação Biomédica, ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Springer JM, Kermani TA. Recent advances in the treatment of giant cell arteritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101830. [PMID: 37328409 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic, granulomatous, large-vessel vasculitis that affects individuals over the age of 50 years. Morbidity from disease includes cranial manifestations which can cause irreversible blindness, while extra-cranial manifestations can cause vascular damage with large-artery stenosis, occlusions, aortitis, aneurysms, and dissections. Glucocorticoids while efficacious are associated with significant adverse effects. Furthermore, despite treatment with glucocorticoids, relapses are common. An understanding of the pathogenesis of GCA has led to the discovery of tocilizumab as an efficacious steroid-sparing therapy while additional therapeutic targets affecting different inflammatory pathways are under investigation. Surgical treatment may be indicated in cases of refractory ischemia or aortic complications but data on surgical outcomes are limited. Despite the recent advances, many unmet needs exist, including the identification of patients or subsets of GCA who would benefit from earlier initiation of adjunctive therapies, patients who may warrant long-term immunosuppression and medications that sustain permanent remission. The impact of medications like tocilizumab on long-term outcomes, including the development of aortic aneurysms and vascular damage also warrants investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Springer
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue Sound, T3113 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Tanaz A Kermani
- University of California Los Angeles, 2020 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 540, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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13
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Owen CE, Yates M, Liew DFL, Poon AMT, Keen HI, Hill CL, Mackie SL. Imaging of giant cell arteritis - recent advances. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101827. [PMID: 37277245 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Imaging is increasingly being used to guide clinical decision-making in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). While ultrasound has been rapidly adopted in fast-track clinics worldwide as an alternative to temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis of cranial disease, whole-body PET/CT is emerging as a potential gold standard test for establishing large vessel involvement. However, many unanswered questions remain about the optimal approach to imaging in GCA. For example, it is uncertain how best to monitor disease activity, given there is frequent discordance between imaging findings and conventional disease activity measures, and imaging changes typically fail to resolve completely with treatment. This chapter addresses the current body of evidence for the use of imaging modalities in GCA across the spectrum of diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and long-term surveillance for structural changes of aortic dilatation and aneurysm formation and provides suggestions for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Owen
- Department of Rheumatology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Max Yates
- Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom; Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - David F L Liew
- Department of Rheumatology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aurora M T Poon
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen I Keen
- Department of Rheumatology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia; Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine L Hill
- Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah L Mackie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR-Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
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Duff LM, Scarsbrook AF, Ravikumar N, Frood R, van Praagh GD, Mackie SL, Bailey MA, Tarkin JM, Mason JC, van der Geest KSM, Slart RHJA, Morgan AW, Tsoumpas C. An Automated Method for Artifical Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis of Active Aortitis Using Radiomic Analysis of FDG PET-CT Images. Biomolecules 2023; 13:343. [PMID: 36830712 PMCID: PMC9953018 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and validate an automated pipeline that could assist the diagnosis of active aortitis using radiomic imaging biomarkers derived from [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (FDG PET-CT) images. The aorta was automatically segmented by convolutional neural network (CNN) on FDG PET-CT of aortitis and control patients. The FDG PET-CT dataset was split into training (43 aortitis:21 control), test (12 aortitis:5 control) and validation (24 aortitis:14 control) cohorts. Radiomic features (RF), including SUV metrics, were extracted from the segmented data and harmonized. Three radiomic fingerprints were constructed: A-RFs with high diagnostic utility removing highly correlated RFs; B used principal component analysis (PCA); C-Random Forest intrinsic feature selection. The diagnostic utility was evaluated with accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Several RFs and Fingerprints had high AUC values (AUC > 0.8), confirmed by balanced accuracy, across training, test and external validation datasets. Good diagnostic performance achieved across several multi-centre datasets suggests that a radiomic pipeline can be generalizable. These findings could be used to build an automated clinical decision tool to facilitate objective and standardized assessment regardless of observer experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Duff
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Andrew F. Scarsbrook
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Department of Radiology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Nishant Ravikumar
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Center for Computational Imaging and Simulation Technologies in Biomedicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Russell Frood
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Department of Radiology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Gijs D. van Praagh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah L. Mackie
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR Leeds MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostics Co-Operative, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK
| | - Marc A. Bailey
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- The Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS2 9NS, UK
| | - Jason M. Tarkin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Justin C. Mason
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK
| | - Kornelis S. M. van der Geest
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Riemer H. J. A. Slart
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Photonic Imaging, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ann W. Morgan
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and NIHR Leeds MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostics Co-Operative, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK
| | - Charalampos Tsoumpas
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Vijayaraghavan N, Martin J, Jayawickrama W, Otome O. Atypical giant cell arteritis presentations diagnosed with FDG-18 whole body PET imaging. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e251406. [PMID: 36631167 PMCID: PMC9835878 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Two male patients aged above 70 years were investigated for chronic non-specific symptoms and evidence of significant systemic inflammation, but without classic 'cranial symptoms' of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Each patient had multiple non-diagnostic investigations, but finally extensive large-vessel vasculitis was revealed by whole body positron emission tomography/CT imaging. Both cases were confirmed to have GCA on temporal artery biopsy and responded well to initial high-dose prednisolone therapy. The patients successfully completed 12 months of steroid-sparing therapy with tocilizumab and achieved remission of their condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimal Vijayaraghavan
- Department of General Medicine, Rockingham General Hospital, Cooloongup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jaye Martin
- Department of General Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Waranga Jayawickrama
- Department of General Medicine, Rockingham General Hospital, Cooloongup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ohide Otome
- Department of General Medicine, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals, Midland, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Scolnik M, Brance ML, Fernández-Ávila DG, Inoue Sato E, de Souza AWS, Magri SJ, Saldarriaga-Rivera LM, Ugarte-Gil MF, Flores-Suarez LF, Babini A, Zamora NV, Acosta Felquer ML, Vergara F, Carlevaris L, Scarafia S, Soriano Guppy ER, Unizony S. Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology guidelines for the treatment of giant cell arteritis. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2022; 4:e864-e872. [PMID: 38261393 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(22)00260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Considerable variability exists in the way that health-care providers treat patients with giant cell arteritis in Latin America, with patients commonly exposed to excessive amounts of glucocorticoids. In addition, large health disparities prevail in this region due to socioeconomic factors, which influence access to care, including biological treatments. For these reasons, the Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology developed the first evidence-based giant cell arteritis treatment guidelines tailored for Latin America. A panel of vasculitis experts from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina generated clinically meaningful questions related to the treatment of giant cell arteritis in the population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) format. Following the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation methodology, a team of methodologists did a systematic literature search, extracted and summarised the effects of the interventions, and graded the quality of the evidence. The panel of vasculitis experts voted on each PICO question and made recommendations, which required at least 70% agreement among the voting members to be included in the guidelines. Nine recommendations and one expert opinion statement for the treatment of giant cell arteritis were developed considering the most up-to-date evidence and the socioeconomic characteristics of Latin America. These recommendations include guidance for the use of glucocorticoids, tocilizumab, methotrexate, and aspirin for patients with giant cell arteritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Scolnik
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Maria L Brance
- School of Medicine, National Rosario University, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Emilia Inoue Sato
- Medicine Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sebastián J Magri
- Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Italiano de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | | | | | - Luis F Flores-Suarez
- Primary Systemic Vasculitides Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Babini
- Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Italiano de Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina
| | | | - María L Acosta Felquer
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Santiago Scarafia
- Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Municipal San Cayetano, Virreyes, Argentina
| | - Enrique R Soriano Guppy
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Unizony
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Duff L, Scarsbrook AF, Mackie SL, Frood R, Bailey M, Morgan AW, Tsoumpas C. A methodological framework for AI-assisted diagnosis of active aortitis using radiomic analysis of FDG PET-CT images: Initial analysis. J Nucl Cardiol 2022; 29:3315-3331. [PMID: 35322380 PMCID: PMC9834376 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-022-02927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of assisted diagnosis of active (peri-)aortitis using radiomic imaging biomarkers derived from [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (FDG PET-CT) images. METHODS The aorta was manually segmented on FDG PET-CT in 50 patients with aortitis and 25 controls. Radiomic features (RF) (n = 107), including SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) metrics, were extracted from the segmented data and harmonized using the ComBat technique. Individual RFs and groups of RFs (i.e., signatures) were used as input in Machine Learning classifiers. The diagnostic utility of these classifiers was evaluated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and accuracy using the clinical diagnosis as the ground truth. RESULTS Several RFs had high accuracy, 84% to 86%, and AUC scores 0.83 to 0.97 when used individually. Radiomic signatures performed similarly, AUC 0.80 to 1.00. CONCLUSION A methodological framework for a radiomic-based approach to support diagnosis of aortitis was outlined. Selected RFs, individually or in combination, showed similar performance to the current standard of qualitative assessment in terms of AUC for identifying active aortitis. This framework could support development of a clinical decision-making tool for a more objective and standardized assessment of aortitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Duff
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49b Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
- Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Andrew F Scarsbrook
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research - St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Radiology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Sarah L Mackie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Russell Frood
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research - St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Radiology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Marc Bailey
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49b Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- The Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
| | - Ann W Morgan
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49b Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Biomedical Research Centre, NIHR Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Charalampos Tsoumpas
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49b Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, New York, USA
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, Netherlands
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Conticini E, Falsetti P, Baldi C, Fabiani C, Cantarini L, Frediani B. Routine color doppler ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of cranial giant cell arteritis relapses. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2431-2435. [PMID: 36156190 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03110-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Conticini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Falsetti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Caterina Baldi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Viale Mario Bracci, 16, 53100, Siena, Italy
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Kraemer M, Becker J, Bley TA, Steinbrecher A, Minnerup J, Hellmich B. [Diagnostics and treatment of giant cell arteritis]. DER NERVENARZT 2022; 93:819-827. [PMID: 34734295 PMCID: PMC9363349 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-021-01216-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common idiopathic systemic vasculitis in the age group over 50 years. It requires prompt diagnostics and treatment to avoid severe complications, such as visual loss or stroke. The tendency to relapse makes a glucocorticoid (GC) treatment necessary for several years and sometimes lifelong, which increases the risk of GC-induced long-term side effects. Therefore, additive GC-sparing treatment is recommended in the majority of patients. For this purpose, the anti-IL‑6 receptor antibody tocilizumab is available as an approved substance for subcutaneous application; alternatively, methotrexate (MTX) can be used (off-label).
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kraemer
- Klinik für Neurologie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus Rüttenscheid, Alfried-Krupp-Straße 21, 45130, Essen, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
| | - Jana Becker
- Klinik für Neurologie, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus Rüttenscheid, Alfried-Krupp-Straße 21, 45130, Essen, Deutschland
- Klinik für Neurologie und klinische Neurophysiologie Philippusstift, Essen, Deutschland
| | - Thorsten Alexander Bley
- Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Deutschland
| | | | - Jens Minnerup
- Klinik für Neurologie mit Institut für Translationale Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medius-Klinik Kirchheim unter Teck, Kirchheim unter Teck, Deutschland
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Dumain C, Broner J, Arnaud E, Dewavrin E, Holubar J, Fantone M, de Wazières B, Parreau S, Fesler P, Guilpain P, Roubille C, Goulabchand R. Patients' Baseline Characteristics, but Not Tocilizumab Exposure, Affect Severe Outcomes Onset in Giant Cell Arteritis: A Real-World Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113115. [PMID: 35683507 PMCID: PMC9181652 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is associated with severe outcomes such as infections and cardiovascular diseases. We describe here the impact of GCA patients’ characteristics and treatment exposure on the occurrence of severe outcomes. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from real-world GCA patients with a minimum of six-months follow-up. We recorded severe outcomes and treatment exposure. In the survival analysis, we studied the predictive factors of severe outcomes occurrence, including treatment exposure (major glucocorticoids (GCs) exposure (>10 g of the cumulative dose) and tocilizumab (TCZ) exposure), as time-dependent covariates. Results: Among the 77 included patients, 26% were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The mean cumulative dose of GCs was 7977 ± 4585 mg, 18 patients (23%) had a major GCs exposure, and 40 (52%) received TCZ. Over the 48-month mean follow-up period, 114 severe outcomes occurred in 77% of the patients: infections—29%, cardiovascular diseases—18%, hypertension—15%, fractural osteoporosis—8%, and deaths—6%. Baseline diabetes and overweight were predictive factors of severe outcomes onset (HR, 2.41 [1.05−5.55], p = 0.039; HR, 2.08 [1.14−3.81], p = 0.018, respectively) independently of age, sex, hypertension, and treatment exposure. Conclusion: Diabetic and overweight GCA patients constitute an at-risk group requiring tailored treatment, including vaccination. The effect of TCZ exposure on the reduction of severe outcomes was not proved here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Dumain
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Jonathan Broner
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Erik Arnaud
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Emmanuel Dewavrin
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Jan Holubar
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Myriam Fantone
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Benoit de Wazières
- Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France;
| | - Simon Parreau
- Department of Internal Medicine, Limoges University Hospital Center, 87042 Limoges, France;
| | - Pierre Fesler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (P.F.); (C.R.)
- PhyMedExp, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Guilpain
- Department of Internal Medicine and Multi-Organic Diseases, St. Eloi Hospital, CHU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine & Biotherapy, St. Eloi Hospital, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Camille Roubille
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (P.F.); (C.R.)
- PhyMedExp, INSERM U1046, CNRS UMR 9214, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Radjiv Goulabchand
- Internal Medicine Department, CHU Nîmes, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France; (C.D.); (J.B.); (E.A.); (J.H.); (M.F.)
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine & Biotherapy, St. Eloi Hospital, University of Montpellier, INSERM, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)4-66683241
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21
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Fu LJ, Hu SC, Zhang W, Ye LQ, Chen HB, Xiang XJ. Large vessel vasculitis with rare presentation of acute rhabdomyolysis: A case report and review of literature. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:4137-4144. [PMID: 35665112 PMCID: PMC9131208 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i13.4137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal involvement in primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV), including giant cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK), tends to be subacute. With the progression of arterial disease, patients may develop polyarthralgia and myalgias, mainly involving muscle stiffness, limb/jaw claudication, cold/swelling extremities, etc. Acute development of rhabdomyolysis in addition to aortic aneurysm is uncommon in LVV. Herein, we report a rare case of LVV with the first presentation of acute rhabdomyolysis.
CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old Asian woman suffering from long-term low back pain was hospitalized due to limb claudication, dark urine and an elevated creatine kinase (CK) level. After treatment with fluid resuscitation and antibiotics, the patient remained febrile. Her workup showed persistent elevated levels of inflammatory markers, and imaging studies revealed an aortic aneurysm. A decreasing CK was evidently combined with elevated inflammatory markers and negativity for anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies. LVV was suspected and confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography and positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose/computed tomography. With a favourable response to immunosuppressive treatment, her symptoms resolved, and clinical remission was achieved one month later. However, after failing to follow the tapering schedule, the patient was readministered 25 mg/d prednisolone due to disease relapse. Follow-up examinations showed decreased inflammatory markers and substantial improvement in artery lesions after 6 mo of treatment. At the twelve-month follow-up, she was clinically stable and maintained on corticosteroid therapy.
CONCLUSION An exceptional presentation of LVV with acute rhabdomyolysis is described in this case, which exhibited a good response to immunosuppressive therapy, suggesting consideration for a differential diagnosis when evaluating febrile patients with myalgia and elevated CK. Timely use of high-dose steroids until a diagnosis is established may yield a favourable outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Jun Fu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shou-Ci Hu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Li-Qing Ye
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hong-Bo Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Xiang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
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22
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Fernández-Fernández E, Monjo I, Peiteado D, Balsa A, De Miguel E. Validity of the EULAR recommendations on the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. RMD Open 2022; 8:rmdopen-2021-002120. [PMID: 35383122 PMCID: PMC8983999 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis establish that an imaging test supported by clinical pretest probability (PTP) is sufficient for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Our objective was to determine the validity of the EULAR recommendations on the use of Colour duplex ultrasound (CDUS) in GCA after calculating the PTP. Methods We collected data of all patients referred to our fast-track clinic between 2016 and 2020. The Southend pretest probability score (SPTPS) was calculated and classified as low (LR), intermediate and high risk (HR) according to the values obtained by its authors, <9, 9–12 and >12, respectively. All patients underwent a CDUS of the temporal arteries with their common, parietal and frontal branches, and the most also axillary (86.5%), and subclavian and carotid arteries. The gold-standard diagnosis was made according to the physician’s criteria after at least 9 months of follow-up. Results Of the 297 referred patients, 97 (32.7%) were diagnosed with GCA. The SPTPS area under the ROC curve was 0.787. The LR category included 105 patients (35.4%), of which 10 (9.5%) had GCA and 1 had a CDUS false negative result. The HR category included 67 patients (22.5%), 47 with GCA, and in 1 case the CDUS result was a false positive. Conclusion Combining the results of a PTP score, such as SPTPS, and the CDUS allows for an accurate diagnosis of GCA, as established by the EULAR group, with less than 2% misclassification of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Monjo
- Rheumatology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Sun L, Zhang W, Zhao L, Zhao Y, Wang F, Lew AM, Xu Y. Self-Tolerance of Vascular Tissues Is Broken Down by Vascular Dendritic Cells in Response to Systemic Inflammation to Initiate Regional Autoinflammation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:823853. [PMID: 35154143 PMCID: PMC8825784 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.823853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The correlation of infections with vascular autoinflammatory diseases such as vasculitis and atherosclerosis has been long recognized, and progressive inflammation with the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs in arterial adventitia intensively studied, the immunological basis of the nondiseased vasculatures that predispose to subsequent vascular autoimmunity during inflammation, however, is not well characterized. Here, we investigated the vascular immunity in situ of steady-state C57BL/6 mice and found that healthy vascular tissues contained a comprehensive set of immune cells with relatively higher proportion of innate components than lymphoid organs. Notably, a complete set of dendritic cell (DC) subsets was observed with monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) constituting a major proportion; this is in contrast to moDCs being considered rare in the steady state. Interestingly, these vascular DCs constitutively expressed more suppressive factors with cDC1 for PD-L1 and moDCs for IL-10; this is concordant with the inhibitive phenotype of T cells in normal vascular tissues. The immunotolerant state of the vascular tissues, however, was readily eroded by systemic inflammation, demonstrated by the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and enhanced antigen presentation by vascular DCs to activate both cellular and humoral immunity in situ, which ultimately led to vascular destruction. Different vascular DC subsets elicited selective effects: moDCs were potent cytokine producers and B-cell activators, whereas cDCs, particularly, cDC1, were efficient at presenting antigens to stimulate T cells. Together, we unveil regional immunological features of vascular tissues to explain their dual facets under physiological versus pathological conditions for the better understanding and treatment of cardiovascular autoinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Sun
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yanfang Zhao
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Fengge Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Andrew M Lew
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Dept of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuekang Xu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
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24
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Ughi N, Padoan R, Crotti C, Sciascia S, Carrara G, Zanetti A, Rozza D, Monti S, Camellino D, Muratore F, Emmi G, Quartuccio L, Morbelli S, El Aoufy K, Tonolo S, Caporali R, De Vita S, Salvarani C, Cimmino M. The Italian Society of Rheumatology clinical practice guidelines for the management of large vessel vasculitis. Reumatismo 2022; 73. [DOI: 10.4081/reumatismo.2021.1470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Since of the last publication of last recommendations on primary large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) endorsed by the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SIR) in 2012, new evidence emerged regarding the diagnosis and the treatment with conventional and biologic immunosuppressive drugs. The associated potential change of clinical care supported the need to update the original recommendations. Methods: Using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE)-ADOLOPMENT framework, a systematic literature review was performed to update the evidence supporting the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) guidelines on LVV as reference. A multidisciplinary panel of 12 expert clinicians, a trained nurse, and a patients’ representative discussed the recommendation in cooperation with an Evidence Review Team. Sixty-one stakeholders were consulted to externally review and rate the recommendations. Results: Twelve recommendations were formulated. A suspected diagnosis of LVV should be confirmed by imaging or histology. In active GCA or TAK, the prompt commencement of high dose of oral glucocorticoids (40-60 mg prednisone-equivalent per day) is strongly recommended to induce clinical remission. In selected patients with GCA (e.g., refractory or relapsing disease or patients at risk of glucocorticoid related adverse effects) the use of an adjunctive therapy (tocilizumab or methotrexate) is recommended. In all patients diagnosed with TAK, adjunctive therapies, such as conventional synthetic or biological immunosuppressants, should be given in combination with glucocorticoids. Conclusions: The new set of SIR recommendations was formulated in order to provide a guidance on both diagnosis and treatment of patients suspected of or with a definite diagnosis of LVV.
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25
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Soulages A, Sibon I, Vallat JM, Ellie E, Bourdain F, Duval F, Carla L, Martin-Négrier ML, Solé G, Laurent C, Monnier A, Le Masson G, Mathis S. Neurologic manifestations of giant cell arteritis. J Neurol 2022; 269:3430-3442. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-10991-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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26
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Hellmich B, Henes JC. [Biologics for connective tissue diseases and vasculitides]. Internist (Berl) 2022; 63:143-154. [PMID: 35029701 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-021-01249-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite therapy with glucocorticoids (GC) and conventional immunosuppressants, patients with connective tissue diseases and vasculitides often develop functionally relevant and prognostically unfavourable internal organ damage. Based on new pathogenetic insights, biologics and small molecules have recently been studied as targeted therapies for collagen vascular diseases and vasculitides. The B lymphocyte stimulator antagonist belimumab has been used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for several years and has recently also been approved as an add-on therapy for lupus nephritis. Anifrolumab, an antibody against the type‑1 interferon receptor, has also been shown to be effective in phase III trials for the treatment of SLE. The interleukin (IL)-6-antagonist tocilizumab showed efficacy in the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and thus has been approved in the USA, although the phase III trial had a negative primary endpoint. In Europe the tyrosine inhibitor nintedanib is approved for progressive ILD in SSc. Tocilizumab is approved for the treatment of giant cell arteritis and reduces both the risk of recurrence and the cumulative GC requirement. The B‑lymphocyte depleting antibody rituximab is approved for induction and maintenance therapy of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and is currently also being investigated for the treatment of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). In patients with EGPA, the IL‑5 antibody mepolizumab leads to improved disease control and reduces GC requirements. A phase III trial of the small molecule antagonist avacopan targeting the complement C5a receptor as a replacement for high-dose GC in induction therapy of GPA and MPA met its primary endpoints. Various other biologics and small molecule antagonists are currently in clinical development for several type of vasculitis and collagen vascular diseases, some of them at advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Rheumatologie und Immunologie, medius Kliniken, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Universität Tübingen, Eugenstr. 3, 73230, Kirchheim u. Teck, Deutschland.
- Vaskulitiszentrum-Süd, Tübingen & Kirchheim-Teck, Deutschland.
| | - Joerg C Henes
- Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Klinische Immunologie, Rheumatologie und Autoimmunerkrankungen (INDIRA), Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
- Medizinische Klinik II (Onkologie, Hämatologie, Klinische Immunologie und Rheumatologie), Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Deutschland
- Vaskulitiszentrum-Süd, Tübingen & Kirchheim-Teck, Deutschland
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27
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Abstract
Large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) manifests as inflammation of the aorta and its major branches and is the most common primary vasculitis in adults. LVV comprises two distinct conditions, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis, although the phenotypic spectrum of primary LVV is complex. Non-specific symptoms often predominate and so patients with LVV present to a range of health-care providers and settings. Rapid diagnosis, specialist referral and early treatment are key to good patient outcomes. Unfortunately, disease relapse remains common and chronic vascular complications are a source of considerable morbidity. Although accurate monitoring of disease activity is challenging, progress in vascular imaging techniques and the measurement of laboratory biomarkers may facilitate better matching of treatment intensity with disease activity. Further, advances in our understanding of disease pathophysiology have paved the way for novel biologic treatments that target important mediators of disease in both giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis. This work has highlighted the substantial heterogeneity present within LVV and the importance of an individualized therapeutic approach. Future work will focus on understanding the mechanisms of persisting vascular inflammation, which will inform the development of increasingly sophisticated imaging technologies. Together, these will enable better disease prognostication, limit treatment-associated adverse effects, and facilitate targeted development and use of novel therapies.
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28
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Tomelleri A, van der Geest KSM, Sebastian A, van Sleen Y, Schmidt WA, Dejaco C, Dasgupta B. Disease stratification in giant cell arteritis to reduce relapses and prevent long-term vascular damage. THE LANCET RHEUMATOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(21)00277-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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29
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Sugihara T, Nakaoka Y, Uchida HA, Yoshifuji H, Maejima Y, Watanabe Y, Amiya E, Tanemoto K, Miyata T, Umezawa N, Manabe Y, Ishizaki J, Shirai T, Nagafuchi H, Hasegawa H, Miyamae T, Niiro H, Ito S, Ishii T, Isobe M, Harigai M. Establishing Clinical Remission Criteria and the Framework of a Treat-To-Target Algorithm for Takayasu arteritis: Results of a Delphi Exercise Carried out by an Expert Panel of the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for intractable vasculitis. Mod Rheumatol 2021; 32:930-937. [PMID: 34850081 DOI: 10.1093/mr/roab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a proposal for remission criteria and a framework for a treat-to-target (T2T) algorithm for Takayasu arteritis (TAK). METHODS A study group of the large-vessel vasculitis group of the Japanese Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis (JPVAS) consists of 10 rheumatologists, 5 cardiologists, 1 nephrologist, 1 vascular surgeon, 1 cardiac surgeon, and 2 pediatric rheumatologists. A Delphi survey of remission criteria items was circulated among the study group over 4 reiterations. To develop the T2T algorithm, the study group conducted four face-to-face meetings and two rounds of Delphi together with 3 patients. RESULTS Initial literature review resulted in a list of 117 candidate items for remission criteria, of which 56 items with a mean score of ≥4 (0-5) were extracted including disease activity domains and treatment/comorbidity domains. The study group provided six overarching principles for the T2T algorithm, two recommendations on treatment goals, five on evaluation of disease activity and imaging findings including PET-CT, and two on treatment intensification. CONCLUSIONS We developed a T2T algorithm and proposals for standardized remission criteria by means of a Delphi exercise. These will guide future evaluation of different TAK treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiko Sugihara
- Department of Lifetime Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Rheumatology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Nakaoka
- Department of Vascular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Haruhito A Uchida
- Department of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hajime Yoshifuji
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Maejima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Watanabe
- First Department of Physiology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Eisuke Amiya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Therapeutic Strategy for Heart Failure, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Tanemoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Miyata
- Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Natsuka Umezawa
- Department of Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Manabe
- Department of Vascular Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Jun Ishizaki
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Shirai
- Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nagafuchi
- Division of Rheumatology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hasegawa
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Takako Miyamae
- Pediatric Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Niiro
- Department of Medical Education, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shuichi Ito
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomonori Ishii
- Clinical Research, Innovation and Education Center, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Masayoshi Harigai
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Hellmich
- Klinik für Innere Medizin Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Medius Kliniken, Universität Tübingen, Kirchheim-Teck, Germany.
| | - Frank Buttgereit
- Medizinische Klinik m. S. Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin (CCM), Berlin, Germany
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31
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Turkiewicz A, Stamatis P, Mohammad AJ. Cardiovascular drug treatment, statins and biopsy-confirmed giant cell arteritis: a population-based case-control study. RMD Open 2021; 6:rmdopen-2020-001285. [PMID: 32792416 PMCID: PMC7440225 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine whether exposure to cardiovascular medications and statins is associated with increased risk of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Design The population-based case–control study comprised a cohort of patients with biopsy-confirmed GCA linked to the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register to identify all exposure to drugs prior to diagnosis of GCA. Ten controls per GCA case, matched for age, sex and residential area, were included. Using corresponding Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blocking agents, calcium antagonists, diuretics, statins and cardiac therapy drugs were investigated from July 1, 2005 to the diagnosis/index date. A conditional logistic regression model was fitted adjusted for income, education level and marital status. We repeated the analyses including only new drug users excluding those with any prescription during the year from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2006. Results 574 cases (29% men) of diagnosed GCA and 5740 controls (29% men) were included. The mean age at diagnosis is 75 years (SD 8). Of the GCA cases, 71% had at least one dispensation of a cardiovascular drug prior to the index date, compared to 74% of controls. The ORs for the association of target drug exposure with GCA were <1 for most drugs, but close to 1 in the analysis of new users. Statins were consistently associated with lower risk of GCA, OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.90). Conclusion Statins may be associated with lower risk of incident biopsy-confirmed GCA. No association was evident for other studied drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Turkiewicz
- Clinical Sciences, Lund, Orthopedics, Lunds University Faculty of Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pavlos Stamatis
- Rheumatology, Lunds University Faculty of Medicine, Lund, Sweden.,Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Helsingborgs Lasarett, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Aladdin J Mohammad
- Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology, Lunds University Faculty of Medicine, Lund, Sweden .,Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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32
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Hoepfner M, Witte T. [Polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis]. MMW Fortschr Med 2021; 163:48-56. [PMID: 34370253 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-021-0086-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marius Hoepfner
- Klinik f. Immunologie & Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl- Neuberg- Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Torsten Witte
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik f. Immunologie & Rheumatologie, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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33
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Statz GM, Williford NN, Sardone VR, Ballas ZK, Dolovcak S, Rossen J, Gebska MA. A 31-Year-Old Man With Angina Pectoris Resulting From Large Vessel Vasculitis. JACC Case Rep 2021; 3:1191-1193. [PMID: 34401757 PMCID: PMC8353568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We present the case of an apparently healthy 31-year-old man with malignant progression of coronary artery disease and recurrent angina resulting from suspected large vessel vasculitis. This case highlights the importance of considering vasculitis in patients without atherosclerotic risk factors, using a multidisciplinary team approach, and suppressing inflammation before coronary revascularization to improve outcomes. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle M Statz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Noah N Williford
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Vivian R Sardone
- Department of Undergraduate Medical Education, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Zuhair K Ballas
- Division of Immunology, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Division of Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Svjetlana Dolovcak
- Division of Immunology, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Division of Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - James Rossen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Milena A Gebska
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Andel PM, Chrysidis S, Geiger J, Haaversen A, Haugeberg G, Myklebust G, Nielsen BD, Diamantopoulos A. Diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis: A Comprehensive Practical Guide for the Practicing Rheumatologist. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:4958-4971. [PMID: 34255830 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common large vessel vasculitis in the elderly population. In recent years, advanced imaging has changed the way GCA can be diagnosed in many locations. The GCA fast-track clinic (FTC) approach combined with ultrasound (US) examination allows prompt treatment and diagnosis with high certainty. FTCs have been shown to improve prognosis while being cost effective. However, all diagnostic modalities are highly operator dependent, and in many locations expertise in advanced imaging may not be available. In this paper, we review the current evidence on GCA diagnostics and propose a simple algorithm for diagnosing GCA for use by rheumatologists not working in specialist centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Andel
- Department of Cardiology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Grålum, Norway.,Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Stavros Chrysidis
- Department of Rheumatology, Southwest Jutland Hospital Esbjerg, Esbjerg, Denmark
| | - Julia Geiger
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anne Haaversen
- Department of Rheumatology, Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum, Norway
| | - Glenn Haugeberg
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway.,Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geirmund Myklebust
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Berit D Nielsen
- Department of Medicine, The Regional Hospital in Horsens, Horsens, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Andreas Diamantopoulos
- Department of Rheumatology, Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum, Norway.,Division of Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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35
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Ponte C, Monti S, Scirè CA, Delvino P, Khmelinskii N, Milanesi A, Teixeira V, Brandolino F, Saraiva F, Montecucco C, Fonseca JE, Schmidt WA, Luqmani RA. Ultrasound halo sign as a potential monitoring tool for patients with giant cell arteritis: a prospective analysis. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 80:1475-1482. [PMID: 34215646 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the sensitivity to change of ultrasound halo features and their association with disease activity and glucocorticoid (GC) treatment in patients with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS Prospective study of patients with ultrasound-confirmed GCA who underwent serial ultrasound assessments of the temporal artery (TA) and axillary artery (AX) at fixed time points. The number of segments with halo and maximum halo intima-media thickness (IMT) was recorded. Time points in which >80% of patients were assessed were considered for analysis. Halo features at disease presentation and first relapse were compared. RESULTS 49 patients were assessed at 354 visits. Halo sensitivity to change was assessed at weeks 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 and showed a significant standardised mean difference between all time points and baseline for the TA halo features but only after week 6 for the AX halo features. The number of TA segments with halo and sum and maximum TA halo IMT showed a significant correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (0.41, 0.44 and 0.48), C reactive protein (0.34, 0.39 and 0.41), Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (0.29, 0.36 and 0.35) and GC cumulative dose (-0.34, -0.37 and -0.32); no significant correlation was found for the AX halo features. Halo sign was present in 94% of first disease relapses but with a lower mean number of segments with halo and sum of halo IMT compared with disease onset (2.93±1.59 mm vs 4.85±1.51 mm, p=0.0012; 2.01±1.13 mm vs 4.49±1.95 mm, p=0.0012). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound is a useful imaging tool to assess disease activity and response to treatment in patients with GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Ponte
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal.,Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Monti
- Rheumatology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy .,PhD in Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Alberto Scirè
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Italian Society of Rheumatology, Milano, Italy.,Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Delvino
- Rheumatology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Nikita Khmelinskii
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal.,Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alessandra Milanesi
- Rheumatology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Vítor Teixeira
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal.,Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Fabio Brandolino
- Rheumatology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fernando Saraiva
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitario Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisboa, Portugal.,Rheumatology Research Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang A Schmidt
- Medical Centre for Rheumatology Berlin-Buch, Immanuel Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raashid Ahmed Luqmani
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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36
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Garvey TD, Koster MJ, Warrington KJ. My Treatment Approach to Giant Cell Arteritis. Mayo Clin Proc 2021; 96:1530-1545. [PMID: 34088416 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary systemic vasculitis in adults 50 years or older. Expanded use of advanced arterial imaging has assisted both in the diagnosis of GCA and recognition of disease subsets. Although glucocorticoids have been the mainstay of treatment for almost 7 decades, new therapeutic options have emerged. This review aims to provide the clinician with a pragmatic approach to evaluating and managing patients with GCA while also addressing recent diagnostic and therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Garvey
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | - Matthew J Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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37
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[Glucocorticoids in the treatment of giant cell arteritis : How much, how long and how to spare?]. Z Rheumatol 2021; 80:322-331. [PMID: 33710440 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-021-00975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) with high-dose glucocorticoids (GC) regularly leads to a control of the inflammatory activity, so that high-dose GC is still the recommended standard treatment in the current guidelines; however, after discontinuation of GC treatment or reduction of the GC dosage, relapses occur in up to 70% of patients in the further course of the disease, making it necessary to resume treatment or increase the dosage. As a consequence many patients therefore have to be treated with GC often in high doses over several years, which results in a high cumulative exposure to GC. The risk for GC-associated diseases, such as diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis or severe infections is therefore significantly increased for patients with giant cell arteritis. For patients with GC-associated comorbidities or increased risk of developing them or patients with a relapse, the current guidelines therefore recommend GC-sparing treatment with tocilizumab or alternatively methotrexate. It is currently unclear over what period of time patients should be treated with GC and GC-sparing treatment, since high-quality study data on de-escalation strategies for GCA are currently still lacking. Decisions on treatment duration and intensity must therefore be made individually for each patient, taking into account general and patient-specific risk factors for a GC-dependent course, GCA-associated vascular damage (stenoses, aneurysms, visual loss) and treatment-associated complications.
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38
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Craig G, Knapp K, Salim B, Mohan SV, Michalska M. Treatment Patterns, Disease Burden, and Outcomes in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Real-World, Electronic Health Record-Based Study of Patients in Clinical Practice. Rheumatol Ther 2021; 8:529-539. [PMID: 33638132 PMCID: PMC7991019 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-021-00290-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Because of the chronic nature of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and/or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), patients may require continued glucocorticoid treatment to achieve treatment targets or prevent disease relapse, resulting in high cumulative doses. This study evaluated patterns of glucocorticoid use and outcomes in patients with GCA, PMR, or both. METHODS This retrospective study used electronic medical records from a US rheumatology clinic utilizing the JointMan® (Discus Analytics, LLC) rheumatology software. Patients aged ≥ 50 years with a diagnosis of GCA or PMR and ≥ 1 entry for a glucocorticoid prescription after diagnosis were included. Outcomes at 2 years after glucocorticoid initiation included the proportion of patients discontinuing glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months, proportion of patients discontinuing glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months and remaining off glucocorticoids at 2 years, time to discontinuation of glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months, and prednisone dose and were compared between patients with GCA only, PMR only, or GCA and PMR. RESULTS At 2 years after the initiation of glucocorticoids, 32% of patients (26/91) with GCA, 32% (248/779) with PMR, and 27% (26/97) with GCA and PMR discontinued glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months; 17, 23, and 18% discontinued glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months and remained off glucocorticoids at 2 years, respectively. Median (range) time to discontinuation of glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months was 202.5 (0-635) days and shorter in patients with both GCA and PMR vs. GCA or PMR only. The majority of patients required daily prednisone at 2 years, with similar doses observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS Fewer than one-third of patients with GCA and/or PMR discontinued glucocorticoids for ≥ 6 months; the majority of patients required prednisone therapy for ≥ 2 years after its initiation. These data highlight the need for the use of more efficacious and glucocorticoid-sparing therapies in patients with GCA and/or PMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Craig
- Arthritis Northwest, PLLC, Spokane, WA, USA.
- Discus Analytics, LLC, Spokane, WA, USA.
| | | | - Bob Salim
- Axio Research, LLC, Seattle, WA, USA
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40
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Giant cell arteritis (GCA), a medium and large vessel vasculitis occurring in the aged, remains a formidable disease, capable of taking both vision and life, through a multitude of vascular complications. Our understanding of the spectrum of its manifestations has grown over the years, to include limb claudication, aortitis, and cardiac disease, in addition to the more classic visual complications resulting from of ischemia to branches of the external and internal carotid arteries. While a clinical presentation of headache, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, fever and other systemic symptoms and serum markers are together highly suggestive of the disease, diagnosis can be challenging in those cases in which classic symptoms are lacking. The purpose of this review is to update the reader on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis and to review our evolving understanding of the immunological mechanism underlying the disease, which have helped guide our search for novel therapies. Recent Findings There is increasing evidence supporting the use of Doppler ultrasound, dedicated post-contrast T1-weighted spin echo MRI of the scalp arteries and PET scan, which can together improve our diagnostic accuracy in cases in which temporal artery biopsy is either inconclusive or not feasible. Advances in our understanding of the immunological cascades underlying the disease have helped guide our search for steroid-sparing treatments for the GCA, the most important of which has been the IL-6 receptor antibody inhibitor tocilizumab, which has been shown to reduce cumulative steroid dose in a large multicenter, placebo-controlled prospective study. Other biologic agents, such as abatacept and ustekinumab have shown promise in smaller studies. Summary GCA is no longer a disease whose diagnosis is based exclusively on temporal artery biopsy and whose complications are prevented solely with the use of corticosteroids. Modern vascular imaging techniques and targeted immunologic therapies are heralding a new era for the disease, in which practitioners will hopefully be able to diagnosis it with greater accuracy and treat it with less ischemic complications and iatrogenic side effects.
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41
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Simon S, Ninan J, Hissaria P. Diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis: Major review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 49:169-185. [PMID: 33426764 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is a medical emergency because of the high risk of irreversible blindness and cerebrovascular accidents. While elevated inflammatory markers, temporal artery biopsy and modern imaging modalities are useful diagnostic aids, thorough history taking and clinical acumen still remain key elements in establishing a timely diagnosis. Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of treatment but are associated with high relapse rates and side effects. Targeted biologic agents may open up new treatment approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumu Simon
- Department of Ophthalmology and South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jem Ninan
- Department of Rheumatology, Modbury Public Hospital, Modbury, South Australia, Australia
| | - Pravin Hissaria
- Department of Immunology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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42
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Patel HN, Syed A, Lobel JS, Galler R, Georges J, Carmody M, Puumala M. Cerebellar infarction requiring surgical decompression in patient with COVID 19 pathological analysis and brief review. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY : ADVANCED TECHNIQUES AND CASE MANAGEMENT 2020; 22:100850. [PMID: 32835021 PMCID: PMC7387273 DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2020.100850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This report and literature review describes a case of a COVID-19 patient who suffered a cerebellar stroke requiring neurosurgical decompression. This is the first reported case of a sub-occipital craniectomy with brain biopsy in a COVID-19 patient showing leptomeningeal venous intimal inflammation. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION The patient is a 48-year-old SARS-COV-2 positive male with multiple comorbidities, who presented with fevers and respiratory symptoms, and imaging consistent with multifocal pneumonia. On day 5 of admission, the patient had sudden change in mental status, increased C-Reactive Protein, ferritin and elevated Interleukin-6 levels. Head CT showed cerebral infarction from vertebral artery occlusion. Given subsequent rapid neurologic decline from cerebellar swelling and mass effect on his brainstem emergent neurosurgical intervention was performed. Brain biopsy found a vein with small organizing thrombus adjacent to focally proliferative intima with focal intimal neutrophils. CONCLUSION A young man with COVID-19 and suspected immune dysregulation, complicated by a large cerebrovascular ischemic stroke secondary to vertebral artery thrombosis requiring emergent neurosurgical intervention for decompression with improved neurological outcomes. Brain biopsy was suggestive of inflammation from thrombosed vessel, and neutrophilic infiltration of cerebellar tissue.
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Key Words
- ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- BiPaP, Bilevel positive airway pressure
- COVID 19, Corona Virus Disease 2019
- COVID-19
- CP, cerebellopontine
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- CT, computed tomography
- CTA, CT angiography
- CXR, chest X-ray
- Coronavirus
- FiO2, fraction of inspired oxygen
- Ischemic stroke
- Phlebitis
- SARS-COV-2
- SARS-COV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- STAT, statum which is Latin meaning immediately
- Sub-occipital craniectomy
- Vasculitis
- WHO, World Health Organization
- t-PA, tissue plasminogen activator
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiren N Patel
- Avera McKennan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, USA
- Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 2014 Washington St, Newton, MA, USA
| | - Asma Syed
- Infectious Disease, 1301 S Cliff Ave Ste 610, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Lobel
- Lima Memorial Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, 1001 Bellefontaine Ave, Lima, OH, USA
| | - Robert Galler
- Northwell Health, Department of Neurosurgery, 1300 Roanoke Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901, USA
| | - Joseph Georges
- Cooper University Hospital, Department Neurosurgery, 1 Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ, USA
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Guidelines for the management of large vessel vasculitides have been recently updated by several scientific societies. We have evaluated the current recommendations for treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA) and addressed potential future therapeutic strategies. Recent Findings While glucocorticoids (GCs) remain the gold standard for induction of remission, many patients relapse and acquire high cumulative GC exposure. Thus, GC-sparing therapies such as methotrexate are recommended for selected patients with GCA and all patients with TA. Recent high-quality evidence shows that tocilizumab is an effective GC-sparing agent in GCA. Non-biologic and biologic immunomodulators also appear to have GC-sparing properties in TA. Summary Tocilizumab is now considered to be part of the standard treatment for GCA, particularly with relapsing disease, but questions on its use such as length of treatment and monitoring of disease activity remain open. High-quality evidence to guide treatment of TA is still lacking.
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Motoji Y, Kurita J, Kawase Y, Ishii Y, Morota T, Nitta T. Repetitive aortic dissection in a patient with giant cell arteritis. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2020; 29:119-121. [PMID: 32938203 DOI: 10.1177/0218492320960866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis is reportedly associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection. We encountered a patient with giant cell arteritis who suffered acute aortic dissection three times within a short period. A pathological specimen of the ascending aorta taken at surgery for type A acute aortic dissection revealed the typical features of giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis patients might be at greater risk of acute aortic dissection than healthy individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Motoji
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jiro Kurita
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kawase
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Ishii
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Morota
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Nitta
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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45
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Monitoring and long-term management of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2020; 16:481-495. [DOI: 10.1038/s41584-020-0458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Kanderi T, Chan Gomez J, Puthenpura MM, Yarlagadda K, Gangireddy M. Pancytopenia as a Complication of Low-Dose Methotrexate in a Septuagenarian: A Rare Presentation. Cureus 2020; 12:e8492. [PMID: 32656010 PMCID: PMC7343297 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite that was initially developed as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat malignancies but later used extensively to treat rheumatological conditions. MTX-induced toxicity is dose- and duration-dependent. Myelosuppression is a rare but fatal complication of MTX that can occur even with low doses used for inflammatory conditions. Multiple factors such as age, renal impairment, and nutritional status increase the risk of developing MTX toxicity. Frequent monitoring of symptoms and lab values are the hallmarks of prompt diagnosis and prevention of complications. Clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion to diagnose pancytopenia secondary to MTX especially in patients with multiple confounding comorbidities. We present the case of a 79-year-old male who presented with mucositis and pancytopenia diagnosed to be secondary to weekly MTX for giant cell arteritis leading to anemia and septic shock causing death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswi Kanderi
- Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Pinnacle, Harrisburg, USA
| | - Janet Chan Gomez
- Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Pinnacle, Harrisburg, USA
| | - Max M Puthenpura
- Internal Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Keerthi Yarlagadda
- Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Pinnacle, Harrisburg, USA
| | - Mounika Gangireddy
- Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Pinnacle, Harrisburg, USA
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47
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Ying S, Xiaomeng C, Xiaomin D, Jiang L, Peng L, Lili M, Rongyi C, Zongfei J, Huiyong C, Lindi J. Efficacy and safety of leflunomide versus cyclophosphamide for initial-onset Takayasu arteritis: a prospective cohort study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2020; 12:1759720X20930114. [PMID: 32536986 PMCID: PMC7268110 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x20930114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leflunomide (LEF) has been considered as an alternative treatment for Takayasu arteritis (TA); however, data on its efficacy are still scanty. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of LEF versus cyclophosphamide (CYC) for initial-onset TA. METHODS Initial-onset TA patients with active disease were enrolled in this research. Patients enrolled from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2015 were treated with glucocorticoids and CYC, while patients enrolled from 1 January 2016 to 31 October 2018 received glucocorticoids and LEF. Treatment response including complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), and effectiveness rate (ER) and side effects were evaluated at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION In total, 92 patients were enrolled. A total of 47 patients were treated with LEF, while 45 patients were treated with CYC. The CR and ER rates were 75.55%, and 88.89% at 6 months, and 85.37% and 95.12% at 12 months in the LEF group. The CR and ER rates were 39.02% and 70.73% at 6 months, and 56.41% and 82.05% at 12 months in the CYC group. The CR rate was significantly higher in the LEF group than in the CYC group both at 6 months (75.61% versus 38.24%, p < 0.01) and 12 months (77.42% versus 53.33%, p < 0.05) after adjustment for propensity scores. The incidence of side effects in the LEF group was much lower than that in the CYC group (21.28% versus 44.44%). In conclusion, LEF provided a better treatment response, along with lower reproductive toxicity, compared with CYC in initial-onset TA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Ying
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Cui Xiaomeng
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Dai Xiaomin
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Lv Peng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ma Lili
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Chen Rongyi
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ji Zongfei
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Chen Huiyong
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jiang Lindi
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No 180 Fenglin Road Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China Centre of Evidence-based Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
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48
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[Treatment of Takayasu arteritis]. Z Rheumatol 2020; 79:532-544. [PMID: 32430564 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-020-00806-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is still elevated even today. The diagnosis is often made after a long time delay and the course of the disease is characterized by progressive structural vascular lesions. Recently, new recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis were published by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). For induction of remission oral glucocorticoids (GC) are administered in an initial daily dose of 40-60 mg. As experience has shown that the cumulative GC demand in TAK is high, GC-sparing treatment with moderately potent immunosuppressants, such as methotrexate, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil is recommended from the time of initial diagnosis. In cases of a relapsing course, tocilizumab or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors can be used as an additive off-label treatment. If vascular stenoses persist despite supposedly sufficient inflammation control and if these stenoses are symptomatic, vascular surgery or interventional treatment procedures can be indicated. Such revascularization or even surgical procedures for the treatment of aneurysms should be performed during phases of sufficient drug control of the vasculitis. In quite a few patients progressive vascular lesions continue to develop despite clinical and laboratory analytical remission. Due to the poor correlation of clinical symptoms and acute phase markers with the progression of vascular lesions, the distinction between active and inactive diseases is often a challenge in the clinical practice. Imaging studies can then support therapeutic decisions but are not yet formally and comprehensively validated in the long-term course of TAK.
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Cid MC, Ríos-Garcés R, Terrades-García N, Espígol-Frigolé G. Treatment of giant-cell arteritis: from broad spectrum immunosuppressive agents to targeted therapies. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:iii17-iii27. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
For decades, the treatment of GCA has relied on glucocorticoids. Work over the past two decades has supported a modest efficacy of MTX but no clear benefit from anti-TNF-based therapies. More recently, the therapeutic armamentarium for GCA has expanded. The availability of agents targeting specific cytokines, cytokine receptors or signalling pathways, along with a better, although still limited, understanding of the immunopathology of GCA, are opening further therapeutic possibilities. Blocking IL-6 receptor with tocilizumab has been effective in maintaining remission and reducing glucocorticoid exposure and tocilizumab has been approved for the treatment of GCA. However, nearly half of the patients do not benefit from tocilizumab and additional options need to be investigated. This review focuses on standard therapeutic approaches and on targeted therapies that have been or are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Cid
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Ríos-Garcés
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nekane Terrades-García
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georgina Espígol-Frigolé
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona. Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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