Ultrasound for diagnosis and follow-up of chronic axillary vasculitis in patients with long-standing giant cell arteritis.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To assess intima-media thickness (IMT) changes measured by ultrasound in axillary arteries of giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients over time and to calculate an ultrasound cut-off value for the diagnosis of chronic axillary artery involvement in patients with longstanding GCA.

Methods

Ultrasound of both axillary arteries was performed in 109 GCA patients at time of diagnosis and at several follow-up visits and in 40 healthy controls (HCs). IMT determined at the prospective follow-up visit was compared between GCA patients with (axGCA) and without (non-axGCA) vasculitis of axillary arteries at baseline, as well as with HCs. Changes in IMT were depicted. Receiver operating characteristics were performed for cut-off calculations. Inter-/intra-rater agreement was evaluated u

SUBMITTER: Bosch P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7983430 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature