Clinical presentation and treatment response in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis during a 40-week follow-up.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The aim was to study the clinical features of PMR/GCA and clinical predictors of treatment response during a 40-week follow-up period.

Methods

Clinical data on 77 patients with newly diagnosed PMR/GCA who were treated with oral glucocorticoids were gathered at baseline and during a 40-week follow-up period. A unilateral temporal artery biopsy (TAB) and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET/CT were undertaken at diagnosis. In total, each patient was seen on five occasions (i.e. baseline and weeks 4, 16, 28 and 40). Treatment response was assessed by considering clinical evaluations and results of inflammatory markers.

Results

Of 77 patients [49 (63.6%) female; mean age 71.8 (8.0) years], 64 (83.1%) patients had pure PMR, 10 (13.0%) conco

SUBMITTER: Emamifar A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8665449 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature