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Circulation 2020 Jul 6;142(1):92-94. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Sorbonne Universités, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France (Y.F., M.V., C.C., A.C.D., F.D., P.C., D.S.).

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2020 Jul 2;145(13):895-902. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is characterized by rapidly evolving shoulder and pelvic girdle pain with fatigue, weight loss, night sweats and elevated CRP and ESR. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) can occur in PMR and vice versa. Headache and scalp tenderness are typical for GCA. Read More

J Neuroophthalmol 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Departments of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences (EM, TJ-P)and Medical Imaging (LAS), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

A 78 year-old woman has experienced multiple episodes of transient right third nerve palsy over the course of 15 years and has undergone multiple imaging studies as well as investigations for myasthenia gravis and giant cell arteritis in search for the diagnosis. When seen after the most recent episode, MRI with contrast and Fast-Imaging Employing Steady-State Acquisition protocol revealed a subtle enlargement and enhancement of the cisternal and proximal cavernous portions of the right third cranial nerve. An empiric diagnosis of schwannoma intrinsic to third cranial nerve was made. Read More

Pract Neurol 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Eur Heart J 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020 Jun 28. Epub 2020 Jun 28.

Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Objectives: To identify dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and their gene targets in temporal arteries from GCA patients, and determine their association with GCA pathogenesis and related arterial wall remodelling.

Methods: We included 93 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded temporal artery biopsies (TABs) from treatment-naïve patients: 54 positive and 17 negative TABs from clinically proven GCA patients, and 22 negative TABs from non-GCA patients. miRNA expression analysis was performed with miRCURY LNA miRNome Human PCR Panels and quantitative real-time PCR. Read More

Tohoku J Exp Med 2020 06;251(2):125-133

Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder in the elderly and is characterized by pain in the shoulders and lower back. Previous studies from western countries have shown that relapse is frequent; however, there are only a few reports on the relapse rate in Japan. Here we examined the relapse rate, and sought to identify factors that predict recurrence in patients with PMR. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Rheumatology, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, UK

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Clinical Epidemiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)

Eur J Endocrinol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

B Fève, Equipe 9, Sorbonne Université-INSERM UMR S_938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, IHU ICAN, Paris, France.

Objective: Glucocorticoids (GC) are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity despite increased HDL-C concentration. HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux, a major anti-atherogenic property of HDL particles, is negatively associated with CVD risk. We aimed to determine whether HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux was influenced by GC. Read More

Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of biological agents in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Materials And Methods: A meta-analysis of 6 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (260 patients and 193 controls) to examine the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, and abatacept relative to that of placebo in GCA patients was performed.

Results: The remission rate was significantly higher for tocilizumab-treated patients than that for placebo-treated controls (odds ratio (OR) 7. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2020 Jun 21;13(6). Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Division of General Medicine, Department of Comprehensive Medicine 1, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan.

A 77-year-old man visited the hospital with a chronic cough persisting for 2.5 months accompanied with night sweats, weight loss (3.5 kg) and elevated C-reactive protein level. Read More

Reumatol Clin 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Servei de Reumatologia. Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, España.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has spread worldwide since it originated in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. The pandemic has largely demonstrated the resilience of the world's health systems and is the greatest health emergency since World War II. There is no single therapeutic approach to the treatment of COVID-19 and the associated immune disorder. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020 Jun 19;22(8):34. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Wuerzburg, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.

Purpose Of Review: Vasculitides are characterized by mostly autoimmunologically induced inflammatory processes of vascular structures. They have various clinical and radiologic appearances. Early diagnosis and reliable monitoring are indispensable for adequate therapy to prevent potentially serious complications. Read More

Heart Fail Rev 2020 Jun 20. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Heart and Vascular Institute, West Virginian University, 1 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.

Autoimmune rheumatological disorders are known to have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocarditis, pericarditis, valvulopathy, and in consequence cardiogenic shock. Data on cardiogenic shock in rheumatological diseases are scarce; however, several reports have highlighted this specific entity. We sought to review the available literature and highlight major outcomes and the management approaches in each disease. Read More

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020 Jun 19;22(8):40. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

Purpose Of The Review: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is one of the most common inflammatory rheumatologic condition occurring in older adults. It is characterized by proximal pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and/or pelvic girdle in individuals over 50 years of age along with evidence of an intense systemic inflammatory response. Although the above clinical symptoms are very characteristic for the condition, it can be mimicked by other autoimmune, infectious, malignant, and endocrine disorders chief among which are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA). Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

The Ohio State University.

Introduction: Temporal arteritis (TA) is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis of unclear etiology that affects medium sized vessels. The gold standard for diagnosis has traditionally been histological, by temporal artery biopsy. Improved imaging modalities have been increasingly used to aid diagnosis and are recommended in the newest 2018 European (EULAR) Guidelines. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 12;12(5):e8077. Epub 2020 May 12.

Internal Medicine, Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health, Abington, USA.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated systemic inflammation of large-sized arteries that predominantly affects elderly women. It may be considered as one of the risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Moreover, patients with GCA may have increased anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). Read More

J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2020 Mar;50(1):75-79

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, Email:

The value of publishing case reports has long been debated and the arguments are summarised. Last year, to encourage trainees, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh's Senior Fellows Club inaugurated an annual prize for the best case report or case series published in the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh by a doctor in training. Some of the highlights of last year's entries are reviewed, commented on and developed. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2020 Jun 12. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.

Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020 Jun 10;22(7):31. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review paper is to evaluate the current data regarding clinical use of ultrasound (US) for diagnosis of systemic vasculitis.

Recent Findings: In recent years, US has emerged as an image modality taking a central role in the diagnosis and monitoring of vasculitides by measuring vessel wall inflammation and changes in vessel wall thickness. US has been recognized as an important tool predominantly in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV). Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020 Jun 1;50(4):616-623. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background And Aim: Assessing cranial artery inflammation plays an important role in the diagnosis of cranial giant cell arteritis (C-GCA). However, current diagnostic tests are limited. The use of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging is an established tool for assessing large vessel inflammation but is currently not used for assessment of the cranial arteries. Read More

Rev Med Liege 2020 May;75(5-6):369-375

Clinical Trial Center, CHU Liège, Belgique.

The development of new drugs is a significant activity in a university hospital that favors access to therapeutic novelties to patients. Rheumatology, whose drug armamentarium was poor in the 1980s, has benefited from the huge progresses of immunology in the 1980-1990s, allowing a therapeutic revolution in whom the academic hospital of Liège (CHU Liège) has been strongly implicated. First protocols with anti-TNF-? monoclonal antibodies have been applied in 1997. Read More

J Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.

Rheumatol Int 2020 Aug 4;40(8):1215-1221. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Academic Rheumatology, Liverpool University Hospitals, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of depression among patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV); compare prevalence according to vasculitis type and against controls; and examine the impact of depression on PSV outcomes.

Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We included all studies that reported the prevalence or impact of depression in PSV. Read More

Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2020 06;26(3):591-610

Purpose: This article describes the neurologic manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases.

Recent Findings: Systemic autoimmune diseases can be associated with a wide spectrum of neurologic comorbidities involving the central and peripheral nervous systems. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be associated with a number of manifestations predominantly affecting the central nervous system (CNS), whereas peripheral neuropathy is less common. Read More

J Rheumatol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Département de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence National pour les maladies auto-immunes systémiques rares, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP; Département de Pharmacologie, Centre Régional de Pharmacovigilance, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP; Département de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence National pour les maladies auto-immunes systémiques rares, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, and Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Address correspondence to Prof. B. Terrier, Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75679 Paris Cedex 14, France. E-mail:

Aortitis is a rare inflammatory disease ranging from asymptomatic aortic thickening to life-threatening manifestations, especially aortic dissection or stenosis. Aortitis mainly occurs during systemic inflammatory diseases (giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, IgG4-related disease) and less frequently in patients with syphilis or tuberculosis Aortitis is rarely suspected to be induced by drugs and its causality is hardly assessable. The aim of our study is to identify drugs associated with aortitis occurrence using a data-mining approach. Read More

Reumatol Clin 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Servicio Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, España.

Introduction: Temporal arteritis is an uncommon disorder in young people. A 39-year-old woman with juvenile temporal arteritis is described and we performed a literature review of all cases of juvenile temporal arteritis described to date.

Case Presentation: A 39-year-old woman presented with a subcutaneous temporal nodule in the right temple with no other associated symptoms or background and unremarkable physical examination. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Serviço de Reumatologia e Doenças Ósseas Metabólicas, Hospital de Santa Maria, CHULN, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a granulomatous vasculitis involving large- and middle-sized arteries, with a predilection for cranial arteries. In this paper, we aim to describe a case of a biopsy- and ultrasound-proven GCA, presenting with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and normal CRP and ESR at diagnosis and during follow-up, and to review the literature on GCA cases with low inflammatory markers, with a particular focus on the presence of eye involvement. Both CRP and ESR are important in the diagnosis of GCA; occurrence of this disease with normal acute phase reactants is unusual but does not rule out the diagnosis. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Ostrava, CZ-708 52, Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Inflammatory aortic diseases are broadly classified into three categories according to the degree of inflammation: atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis with excessive inflammation, and aortitis/periaortitis. This paper presents a case of a 39-year old man with aneurysmal dilatation of thoracic aorta and aortic valve insufficiency. The aortic wall showed thickening and wrinkled "tree bark" appearance as well as apparent scarring of the intima. Read More

Curr Pain Headache Rep 2020 May 29;24(7):34. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Primary headaches are less common and differ in presentation in older versus younger individuals. Secondary headaches become more common among older patients.

Recent Findings: Diagnosis and management of headaches in those > 65 years are discussed. Read More

Reumatol Clin 2020 May 26. Epub 2020 May 26.

Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Madrid , España; Cátedra ROCHE-UAM, EPID-Futuro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España.

Ultrasound is a non-invasive, innocuous, reproducible, cost-efficient imaging technique that provides immediate information, as it can be performed in our consultations. The good profile of ultrasound and the technological advances that have taken place in recent years, which have allowed a substantial improvement in the resolution of the image to make it almost anatomical, have promoted research on its application in the comprehensive study of systemic inflammatory diseases. At present, the threshold of using ultrasound to exclusively investigate musculoskeletal manifestations has been crossed, to also apply it to the study of extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities associated with rheumatic diseases. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2020 Jul;58(4):765-779

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany.

Vasculitides are a complex group of diseases sharing the defining feature of inflamed vessel walls. Vasculitides can be classified depending on the size of the predominantly affected vessels. Modern cross-sectional imaging methods have become a cornerstone in the diagnosis of vasculitis and may help in narrowing down differential diagnoses. Read More

Orv Hetil 2020 06;161(23):939-950

Angiológia,Szent Imre Egyetemi Oktatókórház Budapest, Tétényi út 12-16., 1115.

According to the nomenclature of the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference, giant-cell arteritis and Takayasu's arteritis belong to the group of large-vessel vasculitis. Recognition of these diseases is primarily based on the clinical assessment and the use of various vascular imaging modalities. With regard to the latter one, significant technological advances have been observed in recent years, which allow not only to make a diagnosis but also to evaluate the extent of the disease and the degree of vascular inflammation. Read More

J Fr Ophtalmol 2020 Jun 22;43(6):552-558. Epub 2020 May 22.

Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU de Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux, France. Electronic address:

Ischemic optic neuropathies include any vascular disease of the optic nerve. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathies are classically distinguished from posterior ischemic optic neuropathies by the presence of optic disc edema in the former, and the absence thereof in the latter. Non-arteritic acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is the most common ischemic optic nerve disease. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Rheumatology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Lombardia, Italy.

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2020 May 20;50(4):549-558. Epub 2020 May 20.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Specialistic Medicine, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: To evaluate characteristics and predictors of relapses and long-term remission in an Italian cohort of patients with large-vessel (LV) giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: We evaluated 87 consecutive patients with LV-GCA followed up at the Rheumatology Unit of Reggio Emilia Hospital (Italy) for at least 2 years. Patients with relapses and long-term remission were compared to those without. Read More

J Neuroophthalmol 2020 Apr 16. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Wilmer Eye Institute (OMS, RF, ADH), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Pathology (MAV), Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology (ADH, OMS); Division of Oculoplastics (RF), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; and Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

We present a case of vision loss secondary to neurosarcoidosis, which initially presented with severe bilateral vision loss, temporal headaches, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, concerning for giant cell arteritis. However, temporal artery biopsy was negative. Initial neuroimaging features were misinterpreted to represent a meningioma that did not account for his clinical presentation. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2020 Mar-Apr;38 Suppl 124(2):120-125. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Nantes, France.

Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common systemic vasculitis in adults. In recent years, colour Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries (CDU) has proven to be a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool, but its place in the diagnosis of GCA remains to be defined. A limitation of the CDU is the inter-operator reproducibility. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2020 Mar-Apr;38 Suppl 124(2):112-119. Epub 2020 May 21.

Departments of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine and Pathology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.

Objectives: A potential point of concern among clinicians is whether results derived from the clinical trials can be reasonably applied or generalised to a definable group of patients seen in real world. It can be the case of the GiACTA study that is a phase III randomised controlled trial of tocilizumab (TCZ) in giant cell arteritis (GCA). To address this question, we compared the clinical features and the responses to TCZ from the GiACTA trial patients with those from a series of GCA seen in the daily clinical practice. Read More

CEN Case Rep 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Nephrology, Nephrology Center, Toranomon Hospital Kajigaya, Takatsu-ku Kajigaya 1-3-1, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, 213-8587, Japan.

We report a case of superinfection of liver cysts caused by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus lugdunensis in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. A 69-year-old man with chief complaints of headache and blurred vision was admitted to the former institution for the evaluation of suspected temporal arteritis. He was prescribed oral prednisolone (55 mg/day) as a preemptive treatment; however, he became febrile and presented with bilateral flank pain during prednisolone tapering. Read More

BMC Med Imaging 2020 May 21;20(1):54. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Cardiology, the first hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article. Read More

Z Rheumatol 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Klinik für Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.

Large vessel vasculitides comprise two distinct entities, giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). GCA is the most common vasculitis in central Europe, becoming manifested at an age over 50 years. In contrast, the much rarer TAK affects almost exclusively young adults and mostly women. Read More

Z Rheumatol 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Klinik für Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Deutschland.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) both belong to the group of large vessel vasculitides and require long-term drug treatment. Glucocorticoids (GC) are the first choice for the treatment of both diseases. For GCA immunosuppressants, such as tocilizumab or methotrexate should be considered in cases of treatment refractory and relapses or if there is a high risk for GC-related adverse events. Read More

Arq Bras Cardiol 2020 Apr 18;114(4 Suppl 1):16-18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Departamento de Cardiologia, Hospital 13 de Maio, Sorriso, MT, Brasil.

Blood Rev 2020 May 15:100707. Epub 2020 May 15.

Division of Hematology, University of British Columbia, Canada.

A subset of patients with severe COVID-19 develop profound inflammation and multi-organ dysfunction consistent with a "Cytokine Storm Syndrome" (CSS). In this review we compare the clinical features, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of COVID-CSS with other hematological CSS, namely secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD), and CAR-T cell therapy associated Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). Novel therapeutics targeting cytokines or inhibiting cell signaling pathways have now become the mainstay of treatment in these CSS. Read More

Age Ageing 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, England.

Can J Ophthalmol 2020 May 13. Epub 2020 May 13.

Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.. Electronic address:

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary vasculitis affecting the elderly population. GCA preferentially involves the extracranial branches of the carotid artery; intracranial vasculitis is thought to be a rare occurrence. This study determined the prevalence of intracranial vasculitis in a large series of patients evaluated for GCA and describes the clinical presentation of such cases. Read More

J Rheumatol 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

From the Department of Clinical Sciences, Rheumatology, Lund University, Helsingborg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Infection Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences, Rheumatology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Rheumatology, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet - 2019-01655). Address correspondence to Pavlos Stamatis, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Section, SE-254 37 Helsingborg, Sweden.

Objective: To investigate the association of infections with the subsequent development of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a large population-based cohort from a defined geographic area in Sweden.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed GCA between 2000 and 2016 were identified through the database of the Department of Pathology in Skåne, the southernmost region of Sweden. For each GCA case, 10 controls matched for age, sex, and area of residence were randomly selected from the general population. Read More