The Clinical Significance of Small Vessel Vasculitis on Temporal Artery Biopsies.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common type of systemic vasculitis in the elderly. Untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. Its diagnosis relies on a temporal artery biopsy (TAB).

Limited utility of novel serological biomarkers in patients newly suspected of having giant cell arteritis.

Aim: Diagnosing and monitoring vascular activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA) is difficult due to the paucity of specific serological biomarkers. We assessed the utility of 8 novel biomarkers in an inception cohort of newly suspected GCA patients.

Method: Consecutive patients were enrolled between May 2016 and December 2017.

Cranial and large vessel activity on positron emission tomography scan at diagnosis and 6 months in giant cell arteritis.

Aim: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) can detect cranial and large vessel inflammation in giant cell arteritis (GCA). We aimed to determine the change and significance of vascular activity at diagnosis and 6 months.

Method: Newly diagnosed GCA patients underwent time-of-flight fluorine-18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET/CT from vertex to diaphragm within 72 hours of commencing corticosteroids and were followed for 12 months.

Assessment for varicella zoster virus in patients newly suspected of having giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: There is uncertainty if varicella zoster virus (VZV) triggers GCA. This is based on discordant reports of VZV detection in GCA temporal artery biopsies. We conducted a multimodal evaluation for VZV in the inception Giant Cell Arteritis and PET Scan (GAPS) cohort.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography of the Head, Neck, and Chest for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has not been well studied as a first-line test for giant cell arteritis (GCA), due, in part, to historical limitations in visualizing the cranial arteries. The Giant Cell Arteritis and PET Scan (GAPS) study was therefore carried out to assess the accuracy of a newer generation PET/CT of the head, neck, and chest for determining a diagnosis of GCA.

Methods: In the GAPS study cohort, 64 patients with newly suspected GCA underwent time-of-flight PET/CT (1-mm slice thickness from the vertex to diaphragm) within 72 hours of starting glucocorticoids and before undergoing temporal artery biopsy (TAB).

EVOLVE: The Australian Rheumatology Association's 'top five' list of investigations and interventions doctors and patients should question.

Background: The EVOLVE (evaluating evidence, enhancing efficiencies) initiative aims to drive safer, higher-quality patient care through identifying and reducing low-value practices.

Aims: To determine the Australian Rheumatology Association's (ARA) 'top five' list of low-value practices.

Methods: A working group comprising 19 rheumatologists and three trainees compiled a preliminary list.

How we make good doctors into good teachers: a short course to support busy clinicians to improve their teaching skills.

Background: Doctors are expected to teach but many are reluctant through lack of training. Busy clinicians have little time to attend faculty development initiatives. We wanted to increase clinical teaching capacity locally.