Mortality among Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis: A Large-scale Population-based Cohort Study

Myocardial infarction in a population-based cohort of patients with biopsy-confirmed giant cell arteritis in southern Sweden

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence rate (IR) of myocardial infarction (MI), relative risk of MI, and impact of incident MI on mortality in individuals with biopsy-confirmed giant cell arteritis (GCA).

METHODS

MIs in individuals diagnosed with GCA 1998-2016 in Skåne, Sweden were identified by searching the SWEDEHEART register, a record of all patients receiving care for MI in a coronary care unit (CCU). The regional diagnosis database, with subsequent case review, identified GCA patients receiving care for MI outside of a CCU. A cohort of 10 reference subjects for each GCA case, matched for age, sex and area of residence, was used to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of MI in GCA to that in the general population.

RESULTS

The GCA cohort comprised 1134 individuals. During 7958 person-years of follow-up, 102 were diagnosed with incident MI, yielding an IR of 12.8 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 10.3 to 15.3). The IR was highest in the 30 days following GCA diagnosis and declined thereafter. The IRR of MI in GCA to that of the background population was 1.29 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.59). Mortality was higher in GCA patients who experienced incident MI than in those without MI (HR 2.8; 95% CI 2.2 to 3.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The highest incidence of MI occurs within the 30 days following diagnosis of GCA. Individuals with GCA have a moderately increased risk of MI compared with a reference population. Incident MI has a major impact on mortality in GCA.

Mortality in Ankylosing Spondylitis According to Treatment: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study of 5,900 Patients From Israel

OBJECTIVE

In this large population-based study we aimed: 1) to assess mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population, considering demographics, comorbidities, and treatment, and 2) to assess factors associated with mortality within patients with AS.

METHODS

This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study using the electronic database of the largest health maintenance organization in Israel. All patients with AS diagnosed between 2002 and 2018 were included. Controls were matched by age, sex, clinic, and enrollment time. Follow-up continued until death or the end of the study.

RESULTS

The study comprised 5,930 AS patients and 29,018 matched controls who were followed up for a median period of 7.5 years. There were 667 deaths within the AS cohort and 2,919 deaths within controls; the mean age at death was 76.9 years and 77.1 years, respectively (P = 0.74). A total of 3,249 AS patients (54.8%) were treated only with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, 1,760 (29.7%) were treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), and 1,687 (28.4%) with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Mortality rates were increased among AS patients compared to controls, with an age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.19 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.10-1.30). The association was significant for men (HR 1.15 [95% CI 1.04-1.27]) and women (HR 1.32 [95% CI 1.13-1.54]), and after adjusting for background comorbidities (HR 1.14 [95% CI 1.05-1.24]). AS patients treated with TNFi or with a combination of TNFi and DMARDs did not have significant difference in mortality rates compared to controls (HR 0.67 [95% CI 0.38-1.18] and HR 0.93 [95% CI 0.69-1.25], respectively). Age, male sex, mean C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and general comorbidities were predictors of mortality within the AS cohort.

CONCLUSION

AS patients had an increased mortality risk compared to the general population after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline comorbidities. AS patients treated with TNFi did not demonstrate excess mortality compared to matched controls. Within the AS cohort, age, male sex, background comorbidities, and higher CRP levels were identified as risk factors for mortality.

Large-vessel vasculitis

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.

Real-life analysis of the causes of death in patients consecutively followed for giant cell arteritis in a French centre of expertise

OBJECTIVES

To describe, in a real-life setting, the direct causes of death in a cohort of consecutive patients with GCA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the deaths that occurred in a cohort of 470 consecutive GCA patients from a centre of expertise between January 2000 and December 2019. Among the 120 patients who died, we retrieved data from the medical files of 101 patients.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular events were the dominant cause of death (n = 41, 41%) followed by infections (n = 22, 22%), geriatric situations (i.e. falls or senile deterioration; n = 17, 17%) and cancers (n = 15, 15%). Patients in each of these four groups were compared with the other deceased patients pooled together. Patients who died from cardiovascular events were more frequently male (46 vs 27%; P = 0.04) with a past history of coronary artery disease (29 vs 8%; P = 0.006). Patients who died from infections mostly had ongoing glucocorticoid treatment (82 vs 53%; P = 0.02) with higher cumulative doses (13 994 vs 9150 mg; P = 0.03). Patients who died from geriatric causes more frequently had osteoporosis (56 vs 17%; P = 0.0009) and had mostly discontinued glucocorticoid treatment (76 vs 33%; P = 0.001). The predictive factors of death in multivariate analysis were a history of coronary disease [hazard ratio (HR) 2.39; 95% CI 1.27, 4.21; P = 0.008], strokes at GCA diagnosis (HR 2.54; 95% CI 1.05, 5.24; P = 0.04), any infection during follow-up (HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.24, 2.98; P = 0.004) and fever at GCA diagnosis (HR 1.99; 95% CI 1.16, 3.28; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides real-life insight on the cause-specific mortality in GCA patients.

Incidence, survival, and diagnostic trends in GCA across seven decades in a North American population-based cohort

OBJECTIVES

To analyze trends in the incidence and use of diagnostic modalities for GCA in a population-based cohort over the past seven decades. To explore survival trends in patients with GCA compared with the general population.

METHODS

A population-based cohort of patients diagnosed with GCA was extended with new incident cases from 2010 to 2019. Three time periods were compared: Period One (1950-1979), Period Two (1980-1999), and Period Three (2000-2019). Cases were classified as: Diagnostic Group One, temporal artery biopsy (TAB) positive; Diagnostic Group Two, TAB-negative or not done with positive large-vessel imaging; or Diagnostic Group Three, clinical diagnosis of GCA. Survival was evaluated by comparing Kaplan-Meier estimated mortality rates for cases of GCA against expected mortality rates from Minnesota life tables RESULTS: Age- and sex-adjusted incident rates per 100,000 ≥ 50 years of age (95% CI) were 13.5 (10.1, 16.9) in Period One, 21.0 (17.1, 25.0) in Period Two, and 15.0 (12.4, 17.5) in Period Three. The percent of patients in Diagnostic Group One decreased over the three time periods (89%, 86%, and 72%) while the patients in Diagnostic Group Three increased (11%, 14%, and 17%). Standardized mortality ratios (95% CI) were 1.03 (0.79, 1.32), 1.11 (0.91, 1.34), and 0.82 (0.64, 1.04) across Periods 1-3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of GCA in females in the population declined, resulting in a decreasing overall incidence. More patients have been identified by large-vessel imaging and fewer by positive TABs. No significant difference in survival between patients with GCA and the general population was observed.

The mosaic of autoimmunity - A taste for more. The 12th international congress of autoimmunity 2021 (AUTO12) virtual

Notwithstanding the fact that the 12th international congress of autoimmunity (AUTO12) was held virtual this year, the number of the abstracts submitted and those presented crossed the thousand marks. Leading investigators and researchers from all over the world presented the latest developments of their research in the domain of autoimmunity and its correlation with various diseases. In terms of mechanisms of autoimmunity, an update on the mechanisms behind the association of autoimmunity with systemic diseases focusing on hyperstimulation was presented during AUTO12. In addition, a new mechanism of ASIA syndrome caused by an intrauterine contraceptive device was revealed demonstrating a complete resolution of symptoms following device removal. In regard to the correlation between autoimmunity and neurogenerative diseases, the loss of structural protein integrity as the trigger of immunological response was shown. Schizophrenia as well, and its correlation to pro-inflammatory cytokines was also addressed. Furthermore, and as it was said AUTO12 virtual due to COVID-19 pandemic, various works were dedicated to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in terms of autoimmune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis, treatment and complications of COVID-19. For instance, the correlation between autoimmunity and the severity of COVID-19 was viewed. Moreover, the presence and association of autoantibodies in COVID-19 was also demonstrated, as well as the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases. Finally, immune-mediated reactions and processes secondary to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was displayed. Due to the immense importance of all of the topics addressed and while several hundreds of works were presented which cannot be summed up in one paper, we aimed hereby to highlight some of the outstanding abstracts and presentations during AUTO12.

The risk of depression and anxiety in patients with familial mediterranean fever - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease associated with various systemic comorbidities. Recent research regarding the association with depression and anxiety has yielded conflicting results. The current study aims were to examine whether such an association exists using big data analysis methodology.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a cross-sectional analysis based on the Clalit Health Services database. We compared the proportions of depression and anxiety in patients diagnosed with FMF and age- and sex- matched controls. We used the Chi-square test and T-test for univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was then applied to control for possible confounding variables.

RESULTS

The study included 7,670 patients with FMF and 7,670 matched controls. The prevalence of both depression and anxiety was found to be higher in the FMF group as compared to controls (6.22% and 4.58%, respectively, p<0.001, and 4.93% and 3.14%, respectively, p<0.001). These proportions remained significant after adjusting for important confounders, such as smoking and socioeconomic status.

LIMITATIONS

Temporal association does not indicate a causal relationship, the validity of the diagnoses relies on clinical records and is not based on formal classifications or diagnostic criteria, information regarding disease duration and other parameters were not accessible.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data imply that FMF is independently associated with both depression and anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of raising awareness for these comorbidities.

Aortitis: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aortitis is the inflammation of the aorta due to various causes. Clinical presentations vary as well as the imaging findings. Exact pathogenetic mechanisms or triggering factors, as well as the best diagnostic and monitoring modalities and treatment strategies, are yet to be elucidated. We reviewed recent studies in aortitis and associated diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple cohort studies reporting long-term outcomes in patients with noninfectious aortitis were recently published. Comparative features of isolated aortitis were described. Six angiographic clusters for giant cell arteritis and Takayasu have been identified. New classification criteria have been proposed for IgG4-related disease by a data-driven method. The ultrasonographic slope sign and a halo score were described as specific imaging parameters in giant cell arteritis. The promising role of PET-computed tomography, not only in the diagnosis of aortitis but also in monitoring disease activity, has been noted. Results of in-vitro studies on Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways, comparative studies with leflunomide as an induction therapy, and a long-term follow-up study with tocilizumab may contribute to the management of Takayasu arteritis.

SUMMARY

An impressive number of studies have addressed aortitis in recent years. However, there still is a lack of robust data on causes, monitoring disease activity by imaging and biomarkers, and drugs providing steroid-free remission in noninfectious aortitis.

The Incidence and Predictors of Solid- and Hematological Malignancies in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis: A Large Real-World Database Study

BACKGROUND

The association between giant cell arteritis (GCA) and malignancies had been widely investigated with studies reporting conflicting results. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate this association using a large nationwide electronic database.

METHODS

This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study including GCA patients first diagnosed between 2002-2017 and age, sex and enrollment time-matched controls. Follow-up began at the date of first GCA-diagnosis and continued until first diagnosis of malignancy, death or end of study follow-up.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 7213 GCA patients and 32,987 age- and sex-matched controls. The mean age of GCA diagnosis was 72.3 (SD 9.9) years and 69.1% were women. During the follow-up period, 659 (9.1%) of GCA patients were diagnosed with solid malignancies and 144 (2.0%) were diagnosed with hematologic malignancies. In cox-multivariate-analysis the risk of solid- malignancies (HR = 1.12 [95%CI: 1.02-1.22]), specifically renal neoplasms (HR = 1.60 [95%CI: 1.15-2.23]) and sarcomas (HR = 2.14 [95%CI: 1.41-3.24]), and the risk of hematologic malignancies (HR = 2.02 [95%CI: 1.66-2.47]), specifically acute leukemias (HR = 1.81 [95%CI: 1.06-3.07]), chronic leukemias (HR = 1.82 [95%CI: 1.19-2.77]), Hodgkin's lymphomas (HR = 2.42 [95%CI: 1.12-5.20]), non-Hodgkin's-lymphomas (HR = 1.66: [95%CI 1.21-2.29]) and multiple myeloma(HR = 2.40 [95%CI: 1.63-3.53]) were significantly increased in GCA patients compared to controls. Older age at GCA-diagnosis (HR = 1.36 [95%CI: 1.25-1.47]), male-gender (HR = 1.46 [95%CI: 1.24-1.72]), smoking (HR = 1.25 [95%CI: 1.04-1.51]) and medium-high socioeconomic status (HR = 1.27 [95%CI: 1.07-1.50]) were independently associated with solid malignancy while age (HR = 1.47 [95%CI: 1.22-1.77]) and male-gender (HR = 1.61 [95%CI: 1.14-2.29]) alone were independently associated with hematologic- malignancies.

CONCLUSION

our study demonstrated higher incidence of hematologic and solid malignancies in GCA patients. Specifically, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, kidney malignancies, and sarcomas. Age and male gender were independent risk factors for hematological malignancies among GCA patients, while for solid malignancies, smoking and SES were risk factors as well.

My Treatment Approach to Giant Cell Arteritis

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.

Trend and Geographic Disparities in the Mortality Rates of Primary Systemic Vasculitis in the United States from 1999 to 2019: A Population-Based Study

The current data on rates and geographic distribution of vasculitis mortality are limited. We aimed to estimate the mortality rates of primary systemic vasculitis and its geographic distribution using recent population data in the United States. The mortality rates of vasculitis from 1999 to 2019 were obtained from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Wonder Multiple Cause of Death (MCD). The age-adjusted rates per million for vasculitis as MCD and as an underlying cause of death (UCD) were calculated by state using demographics. A joinpoint regression analysis was applied to evaluate trends over time. The age-adjusted mortality rate of vasculitis as MCD was 4.077 (95% CI: 4.029-4.125) and as a UCD was 1.888 per million (95% CI: 1.855-1.921). Since 1999, mortality rates have progressively decreased. The age-adjusted mortality rate was higher in females than in males. The highest mortality rate for vasculitis as MCD was in White patients (4.371; 95% CI: 4.317-4.424). The northern states and areas with lower populations had higher mortality rates. We found a trend of progressive decreases in the mortality rates of vasculitis, as well as gender, racial, and geographic disparities. Further analyses are warranted to better understand the factors associated with these disparities in order to implement targeted public health interventions to decrease them.

A meta-analysis of the epidemiology of giant cell arteritis across time and space

INTRODUCTION

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a common large vessel vasculitis in those over age 50 years. This meta-analysis examined the geographical and temporal distribution of the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of GCA.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed from their inceptions until 2019. Studies were included if they reported at least 50 or more GCA patients and defined the location and time frame. Articles on mortality were included and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was extracted where possible. Mean pooled prevalence, incidence, and SMR were calculated using a random effects model. Linear regression was used to explore correlations between latitude and incidence, prevalence, and mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 3569 citations identified, 107 were included. The pooled incidence of GCA was 10.00 [9.22, 10.78] cases per 100,000 people over 50 years old. This incidence was highest in Scandinavia 21.57 [18.90, 24.23], followed by North and South America 10.89 [8.78, 13.00], Europe 7.26 [6.05, 8.47], and Oceania 7.85 [- 1.48, 17.19]. Pooled prevalence was 51.74 [42.04, 61.43] cases per 100,000 people over age 50. Annual mortality was 20.44 [17.84, 23.03] deaths/1000. Mortality generally decreased over the years of publication (p = 0.0008). Latitude correlated significantly with incidence (p = 0.0011), but not with prevalence, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

GCA incidence varies nearly 3-fold between regions and is highest in Scandinavia but not significantly. Mortality may be improving over time.

Increased mortality for individuals with Giant Cell Arteritis: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Reports of mortality risks among individuals with GCA have been mixed. Our aim was to evaluate all-cause mortality among individuals with GCA relative to the general population over time.

METHODS

We performed a population-based study in Ontario, Canada, using health administrative data. We studied a cohort of 22,677 GCA patients aged ≥50 years identified using a validated case definition (with 81% positive predictive value, 100% specificity). General population comparators were residents aged ≥50 years without GCA. Deaths were ascertained from vital statistics. Annual crude, age/sex-standardized and age- and sex-specific all-cause mortality rates were determined for individuals with and without GCA between 2000 and 2018. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were estimated.

RESULTS

Age- and sex-standardized mortality rates were significantly higher for GCA patients than comparators, and trending to increase over time with 50.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 34.0, 71.1) deaths per 1000 GCA patients in 2000 and 57.6 (95% CI 50.8, 65.2) deaths per 1000 in 2018, whereas mortality rates in the general population significantly declined over time. The annual SMRs for GCA patients generally increased over time with the lowest SMR occurring in 2002 (1.22; 95% CI 1.03, 1.40) and the highest in 2018 (1.92; 95% CI 1.81, 2.03). GCA mortality rates were more elevated for males than females.

CONCLUSION

Over a 19-year period, mortality rates were increased among GCA patients relative to the general population and more premature deaths were occurring in younger age groups. The relative excess mortality for GCA patients did not improve over time.

Low Vitamin D Levels Predict Mortality in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D deficiency on all-cause mortality in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and in the general population. This is a retrospective-cohort study based on the electronic database of the largest health-maintenance organization in Israel. AS patients who were first diagnosed between 2002–2007 were included. Controls were matched by age, gender and enrollment-time. Follow-up continued until death or end of study follow-up on 1 July 2019. Laboratory measures of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels during the entire follow-up period were obtained. A total of 919 AS patients and 4519 controls with a mean time of follow-up of 14.3 years were included. The mean age at the time of enrollment was 52 years, and 22% of them were females. AS was associated with a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio 1.27 [95% confidence-interval (CI) 1.03–1.58]). In AS patients, insufficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL) were significantly associated with increased incidence of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.59 [95% CI 1.02–2.50]). This association was more prominent with the decrease in vitamin D levels (< 20 ng/mL, HR 1.63 [95% CI 1.03–2.60]; <10 ng/mL, HR 1.79 [95% CI 1.01–3.20]) and among male patients (<30 ng/mL, HR 2.11 [95% CI 1.20–3.72]; <20 ng/mL, HR 2.12 [95% CI 1.19–3.80]; <10 ng/mL, HR 2.23 [95% CI 1.12–4.43]). However, inadequate levels of vitamin D among controls were not associated with an increased all-cause mortality. Our study has shown that vitamin D deficiency is more common in AS patients than controls and is linked to an increased risk for all-cause mortality. These results emphasize the need for randomized-controlled trials to evaluate the benefits of vitamin D supplementation as a secondary prevention of mortality in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease.