Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Reumatologia 2021 27;59(2):121-125. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Rheumatology Unit, University of Siena, Italy.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis, typically affecting the aorta and its branches. The involvement of vertebral and internal carotid arteries occurs in a limited number of cases, and stroke as a presenting symptom of GCA is extremely unusual: this subset of the disease has a poor prognosis and rarely responds to immunosuppression. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman, who presented to the Emergency Department for ischemic stroke, which appeared to be the first and only symptom of GCA. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany.

Intern Med 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of General Medicine, Saga University Hospital, Saga University, Japan.

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 May 6. Epub 2021 May 6.

Rheumatology Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, NR4 7UY.

J Neuroophthalmol 2020 Sep;40(3):434-441

In this issue of Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, M. Tariq Bhatti, MD, and Mark L. Moster, MD will discuss the following 6 articles: Powell G, Derry-Sumner H, Rajenderkumar D, Rushton SK, Sumner P. Read More

Can J Neurol Sci 2021 May 5:1-4. Epub 2021 May 5.

Neurologist 2021 May 5;26(3):101-102. Epub 2021 May 5.

Department of Neurology, Arnau de Vilanova Hospital, Lleida, Spain.

Introduction: The diagnosis of giant cell arteritis is based on clinical and analytical data. The definitive diagnosis is based on histopathologic study.

Case Report: We present a patient with a typical headache, a prominent temporal artery in the examination, anemia, and elevation in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in blood analysis, and a halo sign in the sonography study, all compatible with giant cell arteritis. Read More

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Purpose: Monitoring disease activity in patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) can be challenging. [18F]FDG-PET/CT is increasingly used to evaluate treatment response in LVV. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize the current evidence on the value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT for treatment monitoring in LVV. Read More

Lancet Rheumatol 2021 Apr 28. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Sorbonne Université, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Inserm UMR 1136, Paris, France.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised numerous questions among patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases regarding potential reciprocal effects of COVID-19 and their underlying disease, and potential effects of immunomodulatory therapy on outcomes related to COVID-19. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and factors associated with symptomatic COVID-19 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are still unclear. The Euro-COVIMID study aimed to determine the serological and clinical prevalence of COVID-19 among patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, as well as factors associated with COVID-19 occurrence and the impact of the pandemic in its management. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021 Apr 30. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM Unité 1016, Centre de Référence pour les Maladies Auto-immunes Rares, Paris, and Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France.

Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary large-vessel vasculitis. Glucocorticoids (GC) therapy remains the standard of care for GCA despite frequent side effects (SEs). However, treatment modality changes, prophylactic treatment of osteoporosis, or vaccinations might have decreased the frequency of GC-related SEs. Read More

ACR Open Rheumatol 2021 May 1. Epub 2021 May 1.

Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Biomed Res Int 2021 9;2021:6627925. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116031, China.

To explore the application value of color duplex sonography and enhanced computerized tomography (CT) inspection based on a nanocontrast agent in diagnosis and pathogenesis in giant cell arteritis (GCA), the GCA nude mouse model was constructed. In this study, 40 healthy male BalB/c nude mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group (no model) and an experimental group (model), with 20 mice in each group, and the temporal artery tissue of GCA patients diagnosed as positive by temporal artery biopsy was implanted into nude mice to construct a GCA nude mouse model. Abdominal aortic biopsy and immunohistochemistry were used to verify the success of the GCA nude mouse model. Read More

J Clin Med 2021 Apr 18;10(8). Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Statistics and Epidemiology Consultant, ARJR Media LLC, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.

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). Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2021 Apr 6;57(4). Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Azienda Ospedaliera "Pugliese-Ciaccio", Geriatric Medicine Department, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.

: Laboratory liver abnormalities can be observed in patients affected with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and/or giant cell arteritis (GCA), especially with a cholestatic pattern. The first objective of our review article is to discuss the potential link between antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) and/or primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and PMR/GCA, according to the evidences of literature. The second objective is to discuss the association of PMR/GCA with the other rheumatic diseases having PBC as a common manifestation. Read More

Scand J Rheumatol 2021 Apr 29:1-8. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.

To compare the presenting features and outcomes of patients with cranial-limited (C-) and large-vessel (LV-) giant cell arteritis (GCA). Data from our GCA cohort were collected retrospectively. Patients who underwent total-body large-vessel imaging within 10 days after commencing steroid therapy were included. Read More

Praxis (Bern 1994) 2021 Apr;110(6):285-292

Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Chur.

CME: Giant Cell Arteritis Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis among patients over the age of 50. Mainly large vessels are targeted. GCA can be differentiated into cranial and extra-cranial types; thus the symptoms can range from headache, blurred vision and jaw claudication to non-specific symptoms like fatigue, polymyalgia and fever. Read More

Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021 Apr 26. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Liège, Belgium.

A drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction is a systemic granulomatous reaction indistinguishable from sarcoidosis and occurring in temporal relationship with a drug initiation. In this article, we report a patient who developed lung and liver granulomatous lesions following tocilizumab initiation for a giant cell arteritis. Infectious, toxic, neoplastic and inflammatory differential diagnoses were ruled out and lesions regressed after treatment cessation, leading to the diagnosis of tocilizumab induced sarcoidosis-like reaction. Read More

Cent Eur J Immunol 2021 18;46(1):121-126. Epub 2021 Apr 18.

Department of Hematology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of hematologic disorders characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid lineage cells. The diagnostic criteria are based on morphological features of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells but also include specific genomic mutations. In some patients, co-occurrence of hematologic and rheumatic diseases could be observed. Read More

Neurol Clin 2021 05 31;39(2):631-647. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, 2370 Watson Court, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA. Electronic address:

Neuro-ophthalmic emergencies include optic nerve, central visual pathway, and ocular motility disorders that, if not identified and treated promptly, may lead to permanent vision loss, other significant morbidity, or mortality. This article provides a framework for approaching patients with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and reviews the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of select emergent conditions that can cause them. Emergent causes of blurry vision, transient vision loss, papilledema, and diplopia, including giant cell arteritis, cardioembolic disease, and aggressive infection, are discussed. Read More

Neurol Clin 2021 05;39(2):355-372

Department of Neurology, 725 Albany Street, Suite 7B, Boston, MA 02118, USA. Electronic address:

Headache is a common reason for seeking medical attention. Most cases are benign primary headache disorders; however, there is significant overlap between symptoms of these disorders and secondary headaches. Differentiating these clinical scenarios requires a careful history with attention to red flag symptoms and a neurologic examination. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Institute for Work & Health, Institute Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Objective: To gain consensus on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core domain set for rheumatology trials of shared decision making (SDM) interventions.

Methods: The process followed the OMERACT Filter 2.1 methodology, and used consensus-building methods, with patients involved since the inception. Read More

Eur J Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 23:11206721211009447. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Department of Ophthalmology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India.

Ischaemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a major cause of blindness. The clinical approach and management is a matter of debate for the treating neurologist and the ophthalmologist. Of the two broad varieties namely the posterior (PION) and anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION), the arteritic variety of the AION (AAION) is usually due to giant cell arteritis. Read More

Eur J Intern Med 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, UMR-S 1136, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Santé Publique, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of adjuvant therapies in newly diagnosed or relapsing giant cell arteritis (GCA) in terms of relapse rate at week 52 (primary outcome) and to assess the impact of GC tapering regimen on adjuvant effectiveness.

Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, trial registries, from inception to November 2020. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled prospective studies evaluating adjuvant treatments in GCA, without date or language restriction. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2021 Mar 28;325:8-15. Epub 2021 Mar 28.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3, Canada. Electronic address:

The spectrum of inflammatory blood vessel diseases includes both atherosclerosis and the primary systemic vasculitides. Although the inciting triggers differ, significant overlap exists in the mechanisms that contribute to sustained inflammation and vascular damage in both entities. With improvement in therapeutics to control acute vasculitis leading to longer survival, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has emerged as the leading cause of death for vasculitis patients. Read More

Autoimmun Rev 2021 Apr 16;20(6):102829. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg, Denmark. Electronic address:

The primary vasculitides constitute a heterogeneous group of immune mediated diseases of incompletely understood pathogenesis currently classified by the size of blood vessels affected (Chapel Hill classification). In recent years, several drugs with well-characterized immunological targets have been tested in clinical trials in large vessel vasculitis and small vessel vasculitis. Such trials provide "reverse translational" or bedside to bench information about underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö,Lund University.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis of the elderly, viewed by many as a disease with multiple and overlapping clinical phenotypes. Retrospective studies have shown differences in clinical presentation between these phenotypes. To reflect the heterogeneity of GCA, and novel diagnostic methods, new classification criteria have been proposed. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 29;12:635663. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.

Janus-kinase (JAK) and signal transduction activator of transcription (STAT) signal transduction pathway is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, including in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Data supporting the role of JAK/STAT in the development of vasculitis are limited and mostly focused on large vessel vasculitis and Behçet's disease. In this review, we provide a thorough picture of currently available evidence on the topic, gathered from experiments, animal models and human real-life data, analyzing the rationale for the use of JAK inhibitors for the management of vasculitis. Read More

World J Nucl Med 2021 Jan-Mar;20(1):90-92. Epub 2020 Oct 2.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

An 80-year-old man presented with new-onset pain in the shoulders and lower extremities and elevated serum inflammatory markers. A clinical diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was made, but there was a suboptimal response to glucocorticoid therapy, prompting further evaluation. F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) revealed intense FDG uptake in the arteries of the bilateral lower extremities, head, and neck, but sparing the aorta, suggestive of an uncommon pattern of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Read More

Pract Neurol 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Addenbrooke's Hospital Department of Neurology, Cambridge, UK.

A 73-year-old man presented with unsteadiness and general malaise and later had problems with cognition. This was initially diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but he was later found to have giant cell arteritis. Neurologists and physicians should be aware that giant cell arteritis can present with encephalopathy rather than the more typical features of headache, jaw pain and visual disturbance. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Departments of Rheumatology, Nuclear Medicine and Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

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

Method: Consecutive patients were enrolled between May 2016 and December 2017. Read More