A History of Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Narrative Review.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is characterised by stiffness and pain in the shoulders, hips, and neck and presents most commonly in the eighth decade. It can coexist with giant cell arteritis and the two diseases may share some pathophysiological mechanisms. This narrative review considers present-day ideas about PMR in a historical context, from the first names and descriptions of this disease entity, via successive generations of classification criteria sets, and finally to implications for clinical diagnosis.

Ultrasonography led multimodal diagnostic pathway for giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To establish the sensitivity and negative predictive value of a multimodal pathway incorporating ultrasonography, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose labelled positron emission tomography computed tomography and temporal artery biopsy for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis.

Methods: 1000 consecutive referrals for a new diagnosis of giant cell arteritis were analysed. All patients had a protocolized examination.

Management of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations.

Objectives: To analyse the new evidence (2018-2022) for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to inform the 2023 update of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations.

Methods: Systematic literature reviews were performed in the Medline and the Cochrane Library databases capturing publications from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2022, according to the EULAR standardised operating procedures. The research questions focused on five different domains, namely the benefit/harm of SLE treatments, the benefits from the attainment of remission/low disease activity, the risk/benefit from treatment tapering/withdrawal, the management of SLE with antiphospholipid syndrome and the safety of immunisations against varicella zoster virus and SARS-CoV2 infection.

Recommendations for early referral of individuals with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica: an initiative from the international giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica study group.

Objective: To develop international consensus-based recommendations for early referral of individuals with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Methods: A task force including 29 rheumatologists/internists, 4 general practitioners, 4 patients and a healthcare professional emerged from the international giant cell arteritis and PMR study group. The task force supplied clinical questions, subsequently transformed into Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome format.

EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: 2023 update.

Objectives: To update the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on emerging new evidence.

Methods: An international Task Force formed the questions for the systematic literature reviews (January 2018-December 2022), followed by formulation and finalisation of the statements after a series of meetings. A predefined voting process was applied to each overarching principle and recommendation.

Early referral of patients with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica - A systematic review.

Introduction: Prompt diagnosis and treatment of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is crucial to prevent long-term complications and improve patient outcomes. However, there is currently no standardized approach to referral of suspected PMR patients to rheumatologists, leading to inconsistent management practices. The objective of this systematic review was to clarify the existing evidence regarding the following aspects of early management strategies in patients with suspected PMR: diagnostic strategies, GCA screening, glucocorticoid initiation prior to referral, value of shared care and value of fast track clinic.

Incidence of primary large vessel vasculitis in Norfolk, UK from 2011 to 2020.

Objectives: To report the annual incidence of primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV) in the adult population of Norfolk County, UK, including giant cell arteritis (GCA) (in those ≥50 years) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods: Individuals diagnosed by histology or imaging who lived in NR1-NR30 postcode districts were included. Validated criteria from 1990 and 2022 were applied for final classification.

Frequency of visual involvement in a 10-year interdisciplinary cohort of patients with giant cell arteritis.

Background: We present the largest study of the frequency and nature of visual complications in a cohort of 350 patients consecutively diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: All individuals were assessed using structured forms and diagnosed using imaging or biopsy. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse data for predicting visual loss.

Evidence-Based Guideline for the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, characterized by asthma, eosinophilia and granulomatous or vasculitic involvement of several organs. The diagnosis and management of EGPA are often challenging and require an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Current practice relies on recommendations and guidelines addressing the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis and not specifically developed for EGPA.

EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis: 2022 update.

Background: Since the publication of the EULAR recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) in 2016, several randomised clinical trials have been published that have the potential to change clinical care and support the need for an update.

Methods: Using EULAR standardised operating procedures, the EULAR task force undertook a systematic literature review and sought opinion from 20 experts from 16 countries. We modified existing recommendations and created new recommendations.

The provisional OMERACT ultrasonography score for giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To develop an Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasonography score for monitoring disease activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and evaluate its metric properties.

Methods: The OMERACT Instrument Selection Algorithm was followed. Forty-nine members of the OMERACT ultrasonography large vessel vasculitis working group were invited to seven Delphi rounds.

Improving the quality of care for people with giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis with numerous potential complications and societal costs. After the publication of international guidelines, we found a number of deficiencies in the local care pathway of patients suspected to have GCA. These included poor referral and management pathways, and absence of dedicated monitoring and follow-up.