Background/Purpose It has been reported that 20–50% of patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) have subclinical giant cell arteritis (GCA). The natural history of ultrasound-defined subclinical GCA in PMR is not known. Methods Twenty-five newly diagnosed PMR patients who met a clinical diagnosis for PMR, verified by two rheumatologists, were examined by ultrasound. All six branches…
Case Report: Giant Cell Arteritis-Related Stroke
Thromboembolic events are major contributors to the morbidity and mortality of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), but little is known about how GCA may increase the risk of ischemic strokes. GCA-related stroke is described as an ischemic cerebral infarct occurring within three to four weeks of GCA diagnosis and treatment. It occurs in 3–7%…
Vasculitis Guidelines in Focus, Part 6: Giant Cell Arteritis
In 2021, the ACR—in concert with the Vasculitis Foundation (VF)—released four new vasculitis guidelines, one each on: 1) anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis, 2) giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis, 3) polyarteritis nodosa and 4) Kawasaki disease. The guideline development process is complex. For the vasculitis guidelines, this process kicked off in June…
A Vessel for Knowledge: The Latest Research & Management Updates for Vasculitis
Brendan Antiochos, MD, provided a timely update on research and treatments related to vasculitis, addressing treatments for ANCA-associated vasculitis and giant cell arteritis, COVID-19 vaccination and more.
Highlights from ACR Convergence’s Late-Breaking Abstracts
COVID-19 vaccination, treatments for rheumatic disease and more—the Late-Breaking Abstracts session of ACR Convergence 2021 highlighted six studies with implications for rheumatology.
Efficacy of Tocilizumab Monotherapy After Ultra-Short Glucocorticoid Administration in GCA
In a small study, patients with GCA maintained remission after receiving three days of treatment with methylprednisolone followed by tocilizumab.
Tocilizumab After Ultra-Short Course Steroids Promising for Newly Diagnosed GCA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Tocilizumab induced a slow and lasting remission after an ultra-short pulse (three days) of steroids in newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients, a proof-of-concept trial shows.1 His early research on cytokines and glucocorticoids led Peter Villiger, MD, of Medical Center Monbijou, Bern, Switzerland, to find ways to reduce steroid use, he…
Untangling the Diagnosis & Management of GCA
Vision loss, implications of treatment and more—Sarah Mackie, BMBCh, PhD, MRCP, discussed the latest research on the evaluation and management of giant cell arteritis.
Late-Breaking Abstract Session Spans the Realm of Drug-Related Research
In the late-breaking abstract session at ACR Convergence 2020, drug research for a variety of indications is reviewed.
10 Clinical Insights from Rheumatology Top Secrets & Pearls
In this ACR Convergence session, Jason R. Kolfenbach, MD, & John H. Stone, MD, MPH, shared clinical insights about rheumatic diseases.