[5 patients with Takayasu's disease in The Netherlands].

Objective: To describe the patients with Takayasu's disease in the University Hospital Nijmegen, and to compare these patients with literature.

Design: Retrospective, descriptive.

Setting: University Hospital Nijmegen.

Methods: All patients with Takayasu's disease in the period of 1980-1993 were traced via medical registration codes. These patients are described and compared with the literature.

Results: Five patients with Takayasu's disease were found, 3 women and 2 men, 4 Dutch and I Turkish female. The diagnosis in all patients was made before the age of 21 and confirmed by angiography. Four of the 5 patients presented initially with general complaints, and, except for patient A, all had a pulse or blood pressure difference (left-right) to the disadvantage of the left arm. Occlusion of the left subclavian artery occurred finally in all cases. Four patients had associated diseases as described in the literature. Four of the 5 showed no progression on prednisone therapy. Until now no patient has died, with a mean follow-up of 10 years.

Conclusions: Takayasu's disease is rare in the Netherlands. First symptoms are general fatigue and a pulse/blood pressure difference. Early detection by medical history, physical examination and angiography appears beneficial, because early treatment may have a favourable effect on prognosis.