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Clin Med (Lond) 2019 Jan;19(1):82-84

Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK.

A 63-year-old man with an extensive travel history to South East Asia presented with generalised malaise, temporal headaches and high inflammatory markers. He was treated with corticosteroids for presumed giant cell arteritis. Unsuccessful attempts to wean him from prednisolone prompted further investigations by rheumatology, haematology and finally ophthalmology. Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

From the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences Research, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliera, Unità Sanitaria Locale-Institute for Research and Health Care (USL-IRCCS) di Reggio Emilia e Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy; Universidad Del Desarrollo, Clinica Alemana, Santiago, Chile. M.J. Koster, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; K. Yeruva, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology; C.S. Crowson, PhD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences Research; F. Muratore, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Osedaliera, USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia e Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia; C. Labarca, MD, Universidad Del Desarrollo, Clinica Alemana; K.J. Warrington, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology. Address correspondence to Dr. M.J. Koster, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. E-mail: Accepted for publication October 10, 2018.

Objective: To determine the effect of methotrexate (MTX) on relapse risk and glucocorticoid (GC) use in a large single-institution cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with GCA from 1998 to 2013 with confirmed evidence of temporal artery biopsy and/or radiographic evidence of large vessel vasculitis were identified. Each patient with GCA treated with adjunct MTX (case) was matched to a similar patient with GCA treated only with GC (control). Read More

J Rheumatol 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

From the Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Haugesund, and Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, and Bergen Group of Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Rheumatic Disease (BEaBIRD), Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, and BEaBIRD, Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen; Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Southern Norway, Kristiansand, Norway. This study was supported by grants from the Norwegian Association of Heart and Lung Patients, the Norwegian Rheumatism Association, the Marit Hansens Memorial Fund, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), and Odd Fellow Medical Research Fund. Address correspondence to Dr. L.K. Brekke, HSR AS, PB 2175, 5504 Haugesund, Norway. E-mail:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis in adults. The pathogenesis and the etiology of the disease are not fully understood, and environmental factors, which may influence the incidence and prevalence, are poorly investigated. Only a few small studies have previously addressed the potential influence of rural or urban residence on the occurrence of GCA. Read More

J Autoimmun 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Unit of Rheumatology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 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.

Tuftsin-PhosphorylCholine (TPC) is a novel bi-specific molecule which links tuftsin and phosphorylcholine. TPC has shown immunomodulatory activities in experimental mouse models of autoimmune diseases. We studied herein the effects of TPC ex vivo on both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and temporal artery biopsies (TABs) obtained from patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and age-matched disease controls. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Jan 10;12(1). Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Rheumatology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.

J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech 2019 Mar 7;5(1):31-34. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a well-known cause of cranial vasculitis often presenting with headache and jaw claudication. Here we report the case of a woman suffering GCA who presented with critical lower limb ischemia. Despite best medical therapy, she developed progressive calf claudication and ulceration of the right foot. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, Dublin, Ireland.

Objectives: The diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) is primarily a clinical one. Temporal artery (TA) ultrasound (US) has been proposed as a new diagnostic tool. We aimed to assess the performance characteristics of TA US in routine clinical practice. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Ophthalmology, Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, and Department of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis that affects large and medium sized arteries. The aetiology of GCA is unknown and numerous risk factors have been proposed. In this article, we evaluate the incidence of biopsy-positive GCA in Northern California and assess for seasonal variation. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France.

Introduction: Some studies suggest that there is an increased risk of malignancies in giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of GCA patients with concomitant malignancy and compare them to a GCA control group.

Method: Patients with a diagnosis of GCA and malignancy and with a maximal delay of 12 months between both diagnoses were retrospectively included in this study and compared to a control group of age-matched (3:1) patients from a multicenter cohort of GCA patients. Read More

J Clin Rheumatol 2018 Dec 28. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA Department of Neurology, Walter Reed National Military, Medical Center, Bethesda, MD Department of Radiology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA Department of Internal Medicine/Rheumatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA.

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2018 Dec 27. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, Pontchaillou Hospital, Rennes, France.

We report a 61-year-old woman with a history of untreated inflammatory symptoms, who underwent a Bentall procedure for a rapidly evolving aneurysm. Postoperatively, she presented with a sub-sternal pulsatile mass communicating with a periaortic collection. After excluding surgical and infectious complications, an inflammatory seroma due to an uncontrolled vasculitis was suspected. Read More

Reumatol Clin 2018 Dec 23. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.

PLoS One 2018 26;13(12):e0209343. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.

Background: The TNFSF13B (TNF superfamily member 13b) gene encodes BAFF, a cytokine with a crucial role in the differentiation and activation of B cells. An insertion-deletion variant (GCTGT→A) of this gene, leading to increased levels of BAFF, has been recently implicated in the genetic predisposition to several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Based on the elevated levels of this cytokine found in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), we aimed to assess whether this functional variant also represents a novel genetic risk factor for these two disorders. Read More

Neurologist 2019 Jan;24(1):26-28

Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Giant cell arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis with neurological manifestations that range from visual disturbances to ischemic stroke. Among the former, visual acuity and visual field defects are prevalent, with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy being their most frequent cause. We present a clinical case in which the presenting ocular feature of the disease was a peripheral monocular visual field defect secondary to optic perineuritis. Read More

J Clin Rheumatol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Division of Rheumatology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Isolated noninfectious ascending aortitis (I-NIAA) is increasingly diagnosed at histopathologic review after resection of an ascending aortic aneurysm. PubMed was searched using the term aortitis; publications addressing the issue were reviewed, and reference lists of selected articles were also reviewed. Eleven major studies investigated the causes of an ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection requiring surgical repair: the prevalence of noninfectious aortitis ranged from 2% to 12%. Read More

J Clin Med 2018 Dec 25;8(1). Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Internal Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy.

Oral manifestations are frequent in patients with rheumatic diseases. The aim of this review is to offer readers practical advice concerning the onset, diagnosis and treatment of the main oral manifestations encountered in rheumatological and dental clinics. Signs and symptoms such as oral hyposalivation, xerostomia, temporomandibular joint disorders, periodontal disease, and dysphagia may be the first expression of a number of rheumatic diseases. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;67(1):142

Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Rev Med Interne 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Aix-Marseille université, 13284 Marseille, France; Service de médecine interne et gériatrie, hôpital Nord, AP-HM, chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille cedex 15, France.

Purpose: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis of the elderly. In order to assess the impact of age at diagnosis, we compared the characteristics of patients of less than 75 years (<75 years), to those of the 75 years and over (≥75 years).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 164 patients with GCA diagnosed from 2005 to 2017. Read More

Intern Med 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Division of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan.

We report the case of an 80-year-old man with generalized granuloma annulare (GGA) who subsequently developed giant cell arteritis (GCA). Steroid treatment was effective for both diseases in this case. Although cases of concomitant GGA and GCA have rarely been reported, previous studies suggest that common histological characteristics underlie the two diseases. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Division of Vascular Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.

Aim: To determine the diagnostic yield of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in disease activity assessment of large vessel vasculitides (LVV).

Methods: Patients with LVV who had undergone PET (between 2004 and June 2010) or PET co-registered with computed tomography (PET/CT; since June 2010) were identified. Clinical disease activity was assessed using established scoring systems. Read More

Immunol Res 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

The distinction that in areas where helminthic infections are common, autoimmune diseases are less prevalent, led to the investigation of immune modulatory properties of helminths and their derivatives. Such are phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties which are a component of secreted products of helminths. PC has been broadly studied for its attenuating effects on the human immune system. Read More

Clin Ter 2018 Nov-Dec;169(6):e274-e276

Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.

We present a case of 68-year-old female with four months history of fever, fatigue, and weight loss. She was classified as case of fever of unknown origin. The physical examination was normal, the laboratory tests showed anemia, elevation of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Rheumatology, Translational Immunology and Medical Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Objectives: To assess changes of arterial vessel wall morphology in large vessel GCA patients (LV-GCA) by repeated US.

Methods: Patients with LV-GCA on US examination were followed up 6, 12 and 24 months after diagnosis by US of the temporal, vertebral, carotid (common, internal, external), subclavian, axillary, femoral (deep, superficial and common) and popliteal arteries. Clinical and laboratory data were assessed at each visit. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 12;18(1):317. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Neurology division, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: This report highlights a rare case of simultaneous bilateral blindness due to posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Typically, ophthalmic involvement in giant cell arteritis is monocular or sequential ischemia of the anterior portion of the optic nerve, and less frequently simultaneous.

Case Presentation: An 80-year-old Saudi male came with a history of simultaneous bilateral vision loss 5 days prior to presentation. Read More

J Neuroophthalmol 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Departments of Ophthalmology (MD, JW, CO), Neurology (MD, AEM), and Pathology (EL), Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.

Background: To describe a case of optic neuropathy associated with intravascular lymphoma (IVL).

Methods: Case report and review of the literature.

Results: A case of asymmetric binocular vision loss is described, preceded by transient vision loss. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 04 2;32(2):271-294. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck, Bruneck, Italy; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) are the most common primary systemic vasculitides of the adult population, while polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a clinical syndrome often associated with GCA. Incidence and prevalence rates of AAV have been increasing in the last decades, whereas those of GCA and PMR have remained stable. The mutual interplay between environmental and genetic risk factors leading to the development of these diseases has been further analyzed in the last years. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 02 22;32(1):94-111. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, BCRE Floor 2, NR4 7UQ, UK. Electronic address:

The following chapter outlines the main findings from clinical trials, which provide information on the current best evidence-based management of the myriad of conditions that comprise vasculitis. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been the mainstay of treatment of large-vessel vasculitis since Birkhead et al. used intramuscular cortisone daily and obtained good results in patients with giant cell arteritis. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 02 25;32(1):63-82. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address:

Imaging plays an increasing role for confirming a suspected diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography demonstrate a homogeneous, most commonly concentric, arterial wall thickening. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) displays increased FDG uptake of inflamed artery walls delineating increased metabolism. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 02 22;32(1):31-51. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Systemic vasculitides are a group of heterogeneous conditions with overlapping patterns of clinical and laboratory manifestations. Moreover, clinical features can be non-specific and seemingly disparate. A major factor in defining optimal therapy and measuring treatment response is careful disease assessment targeting four main domains: activity, damage, prognosis and quality of life/function. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 02 16;32(1):3-20. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK. Electronic address:

Classification of the vasculitides has been traditionally based on vessel size. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were developed in the 1980s and published in 1990 before the development of ANCA testing and modern imaging techniques such as MRI and PET scanning, and therefore, these criteria are not fit for use in 2010s. The Chapel Hill Consensus Conference provided a framework for defining various types of vasculitis. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 02 22;32(1):148-165. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.

The prognosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis has been transformed in recent years. Once it was a set of invariably acute and fatal conditions, but these disorders are currently considered to be chronic diseases. This change is largely attributable to earlier diagnosis and the careful application of immunotherapeutics. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2018 Dec 7;20(1):271. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error. Read More

Ir Med J 2018 08 13;111(7):791. Epub 2018 Aug 13.

Department of Rheumatology, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

Aim To present an interesting case of giant cell arteritis presenting as ischaemic upper limb. Methods Data was collected from the patient’s chart and from radiology and laboratory systems in our institution. Results The patient had a temporal artery biopsy confirming the diagnosis of temporal arteritis. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia and Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of disease-related findings and treatment outcomes on survival in a population-based cohort of Northern Italian patients with GCA.

Methods: A total of 281 patients with incident temporal artery biopsy (TAB)-proven GCA, diagnosed over a 26-year period (1986-2012) and living in the Reggio Emilia area, were retrospectively evaluated. We analysed clinical, imaging and laboratory findings at diagnosis, pathological patterns of TAB, CS treatment and therapeutic outcomes, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors as factors predictive of survival. Read More

Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

d Rheumatology Division , Hospital de La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) , Madrid , Spain .

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis is a vasculitis of large and middle-sized arteries that affects individuals older than 50 years. Although glucocorticoids remain the mainstay in the treatment of this vasculitis, other drugs are often required to achieve clinical remission and allow glucocorticoid discontinuation. Areas covered: The review summarizes the main biologic therapies used for the managements of GCA. Read More

Case Rep Radiol 2018 28;2018:7806395. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

With phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) energy metabolites can be visualised. In this case study, we report on a patient with stenosis and wall contrast enhancement in the left internal carotid and the right vertebral artery, due to giant cell arteritis. 31P MRS revealed a decreased inorganic phosphate-to-phosphocreatine ratio (Pi/PCr) in regions with a prolonged mean transit time (MTT). Read More

Respir Med 2018 Dec 10;145:182-191. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, United States.

The hallmark of vasculitis is autoimmune inflammation of blood vessels and surrounding tissues, resulting in an array of constitutional symptoms and organ damage. The lung is commonly targeted in the more familiar ANCA-associated small vessel vasculitidies, but large and medium vessel vasculitides, including Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Behcet's disease, and necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis, may also feature prominent pulmonary involvement. Pulmonary manifestations of these conditions include pulmonary arterial aneurysms, pulmonary hypertension, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary nodules, and parenchymal infiltrates. Read More

Drugs Aging 2019 01;36(1):53-63

Rheumatology Department, Policlinico S. Matteo, Fondazione IRCCS, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) usually affect adults and older populations. The well recognized clinical (i.e. Read More

Curr Opin Rheumatol 2019 Jan;31(1):25-31

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.

Purpose Of Review: Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy for large-vessel vasculitis, but potential toxicity and frequent relapses led to studies with nonbiologic and biologic glucocorticoid-sparing agents. The aim of this review is to discuss the recent evidence for the management of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Recent Findings: Tocilizumab proved to be a powerful glucocorticoid-sparing agent for GCA in a randomized placebo-controlled trial, whereas the trials with tocilizumab and abatacept failed to show a significant difference from placebo in relapse-free survival rate in TAK. Read More

Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Feb;32(1):19-24

Department of Ophthalmology.

Purpose Of Review: To review recent advances in the management of acute ocular ischemic events, including: transient monocular vision loss, central and branch retinal artery occlusions, and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Recent Findings: Transient monocular vision loss and acute retinal arterial occlusions require immediate diagnosis and management, with recognition of these events as transient ischemic attack or stroke equivalents, respectively. Patients should undergo an immediate stroke workup in a stroke center, similar to patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Read More

Scand J Rheumatol 2018 Nov 21:1-5. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

h Division of Rheumatology , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA.

Objective: To assess the strength of the effect of cardiovascular risk factors on the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a general population context.

Method: Data from the Reykjavik Study (RS), a population-based cohort study focusing on cardiovascular disease, were used. Everyone born in 1907-1935 living in Reykjavik, Iceland, or adjacent communities on 1 December 1967 were invited to participate. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2018 Nov 20;20(1):258. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, Keele University, Keele, ST5 5BG, UK.

Background And Aim: Comorbidities are known to exist in many rheumatological conditions. Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory rheumatological condition affecting older people which, prior to effective treatment, causes severe disability. Our understanding of associated comorbidities in PMR is based only on case reports or series and small cohort studies. Read More

Eur J Intern Med 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Internal Medicine, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France.

Mod Rheumatol 2018 Nov 14:1-17. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

a Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology , Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University , 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku , Kyoto , 606-8507 Japan.

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) affect mainly large- and medium-sized arteries. In refractory cases, vascular remodeling progresses and leads to serious outcomes. Studies have demonstrated that cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of TAK and GCA. Read More

Clin Epidemiol 2018 16;10:1533-1543. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark,

Objective: It has been suggested that a hyper-effective immune system ("hyper-immunity") is central to the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica (GCA/PMR). We examined if a low risk of infections, as a marker of hyper-immunity, can predict increased subsequent risk of GCA/PMR.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study including all patients aged ≥50 years with incident GCA/PMR diagnosed between 1997 and 2012 in Northern Denmark. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2018 Oct 12. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: To evaluate aortic diameter and predictors of aortic dilatation using FDG-PET/CT in a longitudinally followed cohort of patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV) compared with controls.

Methods: All consecutive patients with LVV who underwent at least 2 PET/CT scans between January 2008 and May 2015 were included. The first and last PET/CT study was evaluated by a radiologist and a nuclear medicine physician. Read More