Does the halo count on temporal and axillary ultrasound predict time to relapse in giant cell arteritis?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To determine whether the halo count (HC) on temporal and axillary artery US (TAUS) predicts time to relapse in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods

We conducted a single-centre retrospective study of GCA patients. HC, the number of vessels with non-compressible halo on the TAUS at diagnosis, was determined by retrospective review of the US report and images. Relapse was defined as increase in GCA disease activity requiring treatment escalation. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify predictors of time to relapse.

Results

A total of 72 patients with confirmed GCA were followed up for a median of 20.9 months. Thirty-seven of 72 (51.4%) relapsed during follow-up, at a median prednisolone dose of 9 mg (range 0-40 mg). Large-vessel (axillary arte

SUBMITTER: Esperanca Almeida D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10629793 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature