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Manzo C, Castagna A, Veronese N, Isetta M. Presence of subclinical giant cell arteritis in patients with morning stiffness of duration less than 45 minutes at the time of diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica. Reumatologia 2024; 61:432-438. [PMID: 38322103 PMCID: PMC10839912 DOI: 10.5114/reum/176860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In some patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA) is subclinical as underlying inflammation of large vessels (LV) is present without evidence of related clinical manifestations. Different factors have been proposed as predictive of subclinical GCA in PMR patients. To date, the literature reports scant data about the association between subclinical GCA and long-lasting morning stiffness (MS) in patients at the time of diagnosis of PMR. Given this background, the aim of this study was to assess the association between subclinical GCA and MS < 45 min in patients with newly diagnosed PMR. Material and methods We performed an observational, retrospective, single-centre cohort study of patients consecutively referred to our public out-of-hospital rheumatologic clinic between January 2015 and December 2020, who could be classified as having PMR according to the 2012 EULAR/ACR criteria. Subclinical GCA was investigated through ultrasound examination of a core set of arteries (temporal, axillary, common carotid, and subclavian arteries), in accordance with the EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in LV vasculitis. Patients who did not have GCA symptoms but showed halo sign in at least one of these arteries were described as having subclinical GCA. Results We included a total of 143 patients (35 men and 108 women). Their median age was of 71.5 years. Thirty-five had MS duration < 45 min at the time of PMR diagnosis. Subclinical GCA was found in 23 PMR patients (16.1%); 18 had a cranial and 5 an extracranial GCA. A univariate analysis highlighted that MS < 45 min was associated with a lower prevalence of GCA (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.29; p < 0.0001). This association was retained in a multivariable analysis that accounted for 6 different potential covariates (OR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.26; p < 0.0001. Conclusions In our study MS < 45 min at the time of PMR diagnosis was associated with a significantly lower risk of subclinical GCA, when patients were screened by ultrasound, of approximately 90%. Identification of a more accurate MS cut-off value could improve the accuracy for subclinical GCA in patients with newly diagnosed PMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Manzo
- Rheumatologic Outpatient Clinic, Azienda Sanitaria Napoli 3 sud, Sant' Agnello, Italy
| | - Alberto Castagna
- Department of Primary Care, Health District of Soverato, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Isetta
- Central and North West London NHS Trust, England
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Unmet need in the treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 36:101822. [PMID: 36907732 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
For decades, aside from prednisone and the occasional use of immune suppressive drugs such as methotrexate, there was little to offer patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, there is a great interest in various steroid sparing treatments in both these conditions. This paper aims to provide an overview of our current knowledge of PMR and GCA, examining their similarities and distinctions in terms of clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, with emphasis placed on reviewing recent and ongoing research efforts on emerging treatment. Multiple recent and ongoing clinical trials are demonstrating new therapeutics that will provide benefit and contribute to the evolution of clinical guidelines and standard of care for patients with GCA and/or PMR.
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Burg LC, Karakostas P, Behning C, Brossart P, Kermani TA, Schäfer VS. Prevalence and characteristics of giant cell arteritis in patients with newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica - a prospective cohort study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2023; 15:1759720X221149963. [PMID: 36777696 PMCID: PMC9909075 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x221149963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is known that giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) often occur together. So far, the prevalence of GCA in newly diagnosed PMR patients has not been evaluated in a prospective ultrasound study. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GCA using vascular ultrasound in patients with newly diagnosed PMR. Design A consecutive cohort of newly diagnosed PMR patients was prospectively evaluated for the presence of GCA with the use of systematic musculoskeletal and vascular ultrasound examination. Methods Overall, 60 patients with newly diagnosed PMR were prospectively enrolled. Symptoms and laboratory findings were collected. All patients underwent ultrasound of shoulder and hip joints, and vascular ultrasound evaluating the facial, temporal, carotid, vertebral and axillary arteries. Patients were diagnosed with GCA if they had ultrasound imaging findings of GCA. Patients with PMR (PMR-group) and patients with PMR and GCA (PMR-GCA-group) were compared, and a C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-off value was evaluated. Results GCA was diagnosed in 28 of 60 PMR patients (46%). The PMR-group consisted of 20 (62.5%) females with a mean age of 69 (±9.9) years, while the PMR-GCA-group consisted of 11 (39.3%) females with a mean age of 74 (±8.4) years. In 13 of 28 patients (46%) in the PMR-GCA-group, GCA was subclinical and only diagnosed by ultrasound. The PMR-GCA-group showed higher values of joint effusion and significantly higher CRP values. A CRP cut-off value of 26.5 mg/litre (reference range 0-5 mg/litre) yielded a sensitivity of 66% with a specificity of 73% for GCA. Conclusion GCA was found in 46% of newly diagnosed PMR patients; 22% of the patients with PMR had asymptomatic GCA. Joint effusions were higher in the PMR-GCA-group, with significant results for the hip joint. A CRP cut-off value of ⩾26.5 mg/litre in PMR can help in the identification of subclinical GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pantelis Karakostas
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Behning
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanaz A. Kermani
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Valentin S. Schäfer
- Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Department of Oncology, Haematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Predictive Factors of Giant Cell Arteritis in Polymyalgia Rheumatica Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247412. [PMID: 36556036 PMCID: PMC9785629 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory rheumatism of the shoulder and pelvic girdles. In 16 to 21% of cases, PMR is associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA) that can lead to severe vascular complications. Ruling out GCA in patients with PMR is currently a critical challenge for clinicians. Two GCA phenotypes can be distinguished: cranial GCA (C-GCA) and large vessel GCA (LV-GCA). C-GCA is usually suspected when cranial manifestations (temporal headaches, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, or visual disturbances) occur. Isolated LV-GCA is more difficult to diagnose, due to the lack of specificity of clinical features which can be limited to constitutional symptoms and/or unexplained fever. Furthermore, many studies have demonstrated the existence-in varying proportions-of subclinical GCA in patients with apparently isolated PMR features. In PMR patients, the occurrence of clinical features of C-GCA (new onset temporal headaches, jaw claudication, or abnormality of temporal arteries) are highly predictive of C-GCA. Additionally, glucocorticoids' resistance occurring during follow-up of PMR patients, the occurrence of constitutional symptoms, or acute phase reactants elevation are suggestive of associated GCA. Research into the predictive biomarkers of GCA in PMR patients is critical for selecting PMR patients for whom imaging and/or temporal artery biopsy is necessary. To date, Angiopoietin-2 and MMP-3 are powerful for predicting GCA in PMR patients, but these results need to be confirmed in further cohorts. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic challenges of subclinical GCA in PMR patients and will review the predictive factors of GCA in PMR patients.
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Taguchi H, Fujita S, Yamashita D, Shimizu Y, Ohmura K, Nishioka H. [Giant cell arteritis diagnosed by a temporal artery biopsy without abnormal imaging and physical findings in an elderly patient presenting with fever]. Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi 2022; 59:233-236. [PMID: 35650057 DOI: 10.3143/geriatrics.59.233] [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: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is considered in the differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in the elderly. We describe the case of an 83-year-old man with GCA diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy (TBA), who did not exhibit abnormal physical and imaging findings. The patient had fever and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), which had persisted for two months. He was examined and treated with antibiotics and antipyretic analgesics in a local clinic, but they had little effect. He was referred to us. He showed no abnormal physical findings. Image examinations, including ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and PET-CT, showed no abnormal findings. We performed TBA. The histological examination of the artery showed inflammatory cell invasion and rupture of the internal elastic membrane, indicating GCA. We initiated oral corticosteroid treatment. The patient's fever quickly disappeared and his CRP level returned to normal. TBA has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of GCA. However, TBA is an invasive procedure and the sensitivity depends on the operator's skill level. Recently, imaging examinations have frequently been used for the diagnosis of GCA. The sensitivity of imaging examinations is similar to that of TBA. However, our case did not show any abnormal imaging findings and was only diagnosed by TBA. This case suggested that TBA remains a useful examination for elderly patients with fever that persists for a long time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Taguchi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
| | - Shohei Fujita
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
| | | | - Yuri Shimizu
- Department of Pathology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
| | - Koichiro Ohmura
- Department of Rheumatology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
| | - Hiroaki Nishioka
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital
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Álvarez-Lario B, Lorenzo-Martín JA, Colazo-Burlato M, Macarrón-Vicente JL, Alonso-Valdivielso JL. Giant cell arteritis with spontaneous remission. Mod Rheumatol Case Rep 2022; 6:75-79. [PMID: 34491342 DOI: 10.1093/mrcr/rxab001] [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: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The case of a 75-year-old woman diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), treated with low doses of prednisone, and with clinical and analytical remission is reported. Two years later, she presented with a clinical picture of giant cell arteritis (GCA), including headache, diplopia, jaw pain, feeling of swelling in both temples, and elevation of acute phase reactants. Symptoms spontaneously subsided 2 weeks later, while analytical parameters improved without any treatment. A high-resolution colour Doppler ultrasound showed thickening of the intima-media complex with 'halo' sign in the right temporal artery. A biopsy of the right temporal artery was performed, although it was not successful, as no artery could be found, and the procedure became more complicated with an eyebrow ptosis due to a lesion in the frontal branch of the facial nerve. GCA diagnosis was based on the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound findings. The patient was treated with prednisone and methotrexate, without clinical or analytical relapse. Comments are presented on the described cases of GCA with spontaneous remission, and the most appropriate treatments in these cases are discussed. Other peculiarities of the case, such as the progression to GCA more than 2 years after the onset of PMR, and the complications from the temporal artery biopsy are also mentioned.
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Prieto-Peña D, Castañeda S, Atienza-Mateo B, Blanco R, González-Gay MA. Predicting the risk of relapse in polymyalgia rheumatica: novel insights. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:225-232. [PMID: 33570454 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1890032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory disease found in people older than 50 years of Northern European descent. It is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulders, arms, hips, and neck. Relapses are common in patients with PMR. AREAS COVERED This review describes when and how relapses occur in patients with PMR. Potential predisposing factors associated with relapses and management are also discussed. An extensive literature search on the PubMed database was conducted for publications on 'polymyalgia rheumatica' AND 'relapses' AND 'risk factors'. EXPERT OPINION Relapses are common in PMR being observed in approximately half of the patients. They often occur when the dose of prednisone is below 5-7.5 mg/day. The speed of glucocorticoid tapering is considered to be the main factor influencing the development of relapses in isolated PMRs. In addition, a genetic component may favor the presence of relapses in isolated PMRs. HLA-DRB1*0401 alleles were associated with an increased risk of relapse. An implication of the IL-6 promoter -174 G/C polymorphism and the GG241 ICAM-1 genotype was also reported. With regard to serological biomarkers, elevated levels of angiopoietin-2 were associated with an unfavorable course of PMR. Methotrexate and anti-IL6 receptor antibody tocilizumab may be required in PMR patients with multiple relapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Prieto-Peña
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués De Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital de La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Atienza-Mateo
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués De Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Ricardo Blanco
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués De Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Miguel A González-Gay
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués De Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Van Hemelen M, Betrains A, Vanderschueren S, Blockmans D. Impact of age at diagnosis in polymyalgia rheumatica: A retrospective cohort study of 218 patients. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102692. [PMID: 33131702 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common musculoskeletal inflammatory disease that may occur with giant-cell arteritis (GCA) or in an isolated form. While the incidence is highest in the elderly, there is a paucity of data on its presentation, clinical course and response to treatment in younger individuals. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 40 patients who were diagnosed with isolated PMR under the age of 60 and 178 patients diagnosed above this age, taking into account clinical and laboratory data and treatment history. RESULTS Patients who were diagnosed at a younger age had lower acute-phase reactant levels at diagnosis but not after initiation of treatment or at the time of relapse. The risk of relapse was lower in the group diagnosed under age 60 (35% vs 55%). Cumulative and maximal glucocorticoid doses, use of glucocorticoid-sparing agents and duration of glucocorticoid treatment, did not differ between the groups. In multivariate analysis, younger age at diagnosis was associated with cervical pain and male gender. CONCLUSION Compared to patients diagnosed above age 60, patients diagnosed with PMR at a younger age have a lower risk of relapse, but similar long-term outcomes with regards to continued need for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Van Hemelen
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Albrecht Betrains
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disease, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Steven Vanderschueren
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disease, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Daniel Blockmans
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disease, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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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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10
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Sené T, Clavel G, Villeneuve D, Philibert M, Mauget-Faÿsse M, Lamirel C, Lecler A, Gout O, Hage R, Lidove O, Vignal-Clermont C. [Delays in the management of ocular complications of giant cell arteritis: A retrospective monocentric study of 33 patients]. Rev Med Interne 2020; 41:661-666. [PMID: 32682624 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2020.06.012] [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: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ocular complications of giant cell arteritis (GCA) can lead to irreversible bilateral blindness and represent a therapeutic emergency. Recommendations for the management of GCA have recently been updated. The objective of the study was to evaluate delays in appropriate management of the ocular complications of GCA and its determinants. METHOD Retrospective, monocentric study, conducted over the period January 2013-November 2018. All consecutive patients with a final diagnosis of GCA and related visual impairment (permanent visual loss and/or alteration of visual field) were included. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were included (women: 21, men: 12; mean age at diagnosis: 79). Twenty-seven patients (82%) presented with symptoms suggestive of ACG prior to the visual complication, ranging from a few weeks to several months. Seventeen patients (52%) had a known biological inflammatory syndrome (median CRP at 64 mg/L) prior to hospital consultation. The median time from the onset of permanent ophthalmologic manifestations to appropriate corticosteroid management was 3 days (range: 0-134). Two of the 21 patients who consulted an out-of-hospital ophthalmologist received corticosteroid therapy before referral to hospital. Three patients (9%) were treated within 24 h of the onset of the disorders. CONCLUSION There is a significant delay in the appropriate management of ophthalmological complications of ACG and deviations from current recommendations. Numerous actions must therefore be taken to improve the visual prognosis of patients with ACG, both preventively (i.e. early diagnosis and treatment of ACG before the possible occurrence of visual complications), and curatively (rapid recognition and immediate treatment of ocular complications). These elements support the relevance of specific fast-track pathways for GCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sené
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France; Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital de la Croix Saint-Simon - Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses-Croix Saint-Simon, 75020 Paris, France.
| | - G Clavel
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - D Villeneuve
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - M Philibert
- Service de Neuro-Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - M Mauget-Faÿsse
- Centre d'Investigations Cliniques, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - C Lamirel
- Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - A Lecler
- Service d'Imagerie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - O Gout
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - R Hage
- Service de Neuro-Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
| | - O Lidove
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France; Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital de la Croix Saint-Simon - Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses-Croix Saint-Simon, 75020 Paris, France
| | - C Vignal-Clermont
- Service de Neuro-Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France; Service des Urgences Ophtalmologiques, Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, 75019 Paris, France
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Treat to Target: A Valid Concept for Management of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis? Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2019; 45:549-567. [PMID: 31564296 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are common inflammatory diseases of the elderly. They have variable clinical courses and are usually treated with glucocorticoids (GCs). Relapses are frequent in both conditions. Physicians should balance the tradeoff of treatment-related adverse events and risk of relapse. The ultimate goal of treatment is control of the disease while maintaining patient well-being. A treat-to-target approach may achieve the aim of controlling inflammation and preserving patient's functioning and quality of life, and would require pursuit and evaluation of clinical, laboratory, imaging, and structural targets to tackle the different manifestations of GCA and PMR.
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González-Gay MÁ, Ortego-Jurado M, Ercole L, Ortego-Centeno N. Giant cell arteritis: is the clinical spectrum of the disease changing? BMC Geriatr 2019; 19:200. [PMID: 31357946 PMCID: PMC6664782 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Giant cell arteritis is a vasculitis of large and middle-sized arteries that affects patients aged over 50 years. It can show a typical clinical picture consisting of cranial manifestations but sometimes nonspecific symptoms and large-vessel involvement prevail. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential to avoid irreversible damage. DISCUSSION There has been an increasing knowledge on the occurrence of the disease without the typical cranial symptoms and its close relationship and overlap with polymyalgia rheumatica, and this may contribute to reduce the number of underdiagnosed patients. Although temporal artery biopsy is still the gold-standard and temporal artery ultrasonography is being widely used, newer imaging techniques (FDG-PET/TAC, MRI, CT) can be of valuable help to identify giant cell arteritis, in particular in those cases with a predominance of extracranial large-vessel manifestations. CONCLUSIONS Giant cell arteritis is a more heterogeneous condition than previously thought. Awareness of all the potential clinical manifestations and judicious use of diagnostic tests may be an aid to avoid delayed detection and consequently ominous complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Á. González-Gay
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, 39011 Santander, Spain
- University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Norberto Ortego-Centeno
- Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (IBS. GRANADA), Department of Internal Medicine, Professor of Medicine of the University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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González-Gay MA, Pina T, Prieto-Peña D, Calderon-Goercke M, Blanco R, Castañeda S. Drug therapies for polymyalgia rheumatica: a pharmacotherapeutic update. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2018; 19:1235-1244. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2018.1501360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. González-Gay
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Trinitario Pina
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Diana Prieto-Peña
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Mónica Calderon-Goercke
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Ricardo Blanco
- Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital de La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
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