Vasculitis distribution and clinical characteristics in giant cell arteritis: a retrospective study using the new 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria.

Introduction: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis of the elderly. In recent years, advanced imaging has to a certain extent replaced temporal artery biopsy (TAB) to aid diagnosis in many institutions and helped to identify three major phenotypes of GCA, namely, cranial GCA (c-GCA), large-vessel non-cranial GCA (LV-GCA), and a combination of these two patterns called mixed-GCA, which all show different clinical patterns. Recent 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria respect the changing conception and clinical practice during the last two decades.

Norwegian society of rheumatology recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of patients with giant cell arteritis.

Objective: To provide clinical guidance to Norwegian Rheumatologists and other clinicians involved in diagnosing and treating patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: The available evidence in the field was reviewed, and the GCA working group wrote draft guidelines. These guidelines were discussed and revised according to standard procedures within the Norwegian Society of Rheumatology.

Magnetic resonance imaging compared to ultrasonography in giant cell arteritis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There has been a shift in recent years to using ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as first-line investigations for suspected cranial large vessel vasculitis (LVV) and is a new recommendation by the EULAR 2018 guidelines for imaging in LVV. This cross-sectional study compares the performance of US and MRI and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for detecting vasculitis in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Patients with new-onset or already diagnosed GCA were recruited.

Incidence Trends and Mortality of Giant Cell Arteritis in Southern Norway.

Objective: Southern Norway consists of a homogeneous population of nearly 300,000 inhabitants and is an ideal epidemiologic setting. We aimed to explore potential changes in incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Southern Norway from 2000-2013, with comparisons of previous reports from the same population cohort from 1987-1994 and 1992-1996, and to investigate the mortality rates of GCA over a period of 14 years.

Methods: All patients diagnosed with GCA during January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013 were identified through the electronic health records and biopsy findings databases at our clinic.

Leflunomide as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a case series.

Objectives: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) affect individuals older than 50 years of age and corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. The aim of our study was to explore the role of leflunomide as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in GCA and PMR patients.

Methods: Patients with difficult-to-treat GCA and PMR were retrospectively identified in the period from 2010 to 2013.

Diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasonography of temporal arteries and large vessels in giant cell arteritis: a consecutive case series.

Objective: Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) can detect inflammation in the vessel wall. No studies have evaluated the examination of the common carotid artery by CDUS in the diagnostics of giant cell arteritis (GCA). Our aim was to evaluate the combination of CDUS examination of the temporal, axillary, and common carotid arteries in the diagnosis of GCA.

Severe deterioration of newly diagnosed Takayasu arteritis in a patient re-treated with interferon beta-1α for concomitant longstanding multiple sclerosis.

A 52-year-old woman with Takayasu arteritis and a known history of multiple sclerosis had been treated with subcutaneous interferon (IFN) beta-1α. After the re-introduction of the IFN beta-1α, the patient had a gradual worsening of the arteritis, with claudication symptoms in the left arm and increased inflammation markers. An evaluation using Doppler ultrasound of the supra-aortic vessels revealed severe stenosis of the left axillary artery.

Causes of death in polymyalgia rheumatica. A prospective longitudinal study of 315 cases and matched population controls.

Objective: To determine causes of death in patients with pure polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) compared to matched population controls.

Methods: In a population based study from 1987-1997, 315 patients were diagnosed with PMR. The patients were each randomly assigned four population controls, totally 1,260 controls.

No increased frequency of malignant neoplasms in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis. A prospective longitudinal study of 398 cases and matched population controls.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and incidence of cancer in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) compared to matched population controls.

Methods: In a population based study 1987-97, 398 patients were diagnosed with PMR or TA. Each patient was randomly assigned 4 age and sex matched controls from the same county, totaling 1592 controls.

[Control of patients in an outpatient clinic of rheumatology].

Background: A high number of patients attending outpatient clinics of rheumatology are control cases. This study aimed at investigating the causes of such controls and how necessary they are.

Material And Methods: 400 consecutive control patients selected from a local hospital were included.