Limb arteries involvement assessed by FDG/PET CT at diagnosis of giant cell arteritis and risk of relapse: An observational study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105734
• Publication Date: 2024-04-15T15:48:05Z
• Authors: Geoffroy Peyrac; Arthur Mageau; Augustin Gaudemer; Khadija Benali; Julien Rohmer; Jean-Francois Ale...; Andrey Strukov; Sebastien Ottaviani; Thomas Papo; Karim Sacre
• Keywords: Tocilizumab; Arteritis

Introduction Steroids and anti-IL6 biotherapy are highly effective in obtaining remission patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) but the risk of relapses remains high. We aimed to identify predictors relapse GCA. Methods All consecutive admitted a new diagnosis GCA - according 2022 American College Rheumatology/EULAR (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria between May 2011 were eligible for this study. The primary outcome was rate over 36-months follow up. Factors associated time first analyzed. Results One hundred eight (74 [69-81] years, 64.8% women) studied. biopsy-proven 65 (60.2%) cases. Ninety-eight (90.7%) FDG/PET CT scans performed at available review. received steroids given 21.0 [18.0-28.5] months, methotrexate (n=1, 0.9%) or tocilizumab (n=2, 1.9%). During median follow-up 27.5 [11.4-35.0] occurred 40 (37%) patients. Multivariable Cox regression model, including general signs, gender, aortic wall thickness, FDG uptake arterial IV steroid pulse as covariates, showed that both signs (HR 2.0 [1.0-4.0, p<0.05) limb arteries 2.7 [1.3-5.5], p<0.01) relapse. Conclusion is predictor newly diagnosed