Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
An analysis of the first relapse in giant cell arteritis using ultrasonography
Authors' conclusion
Relapsing disease is more common in the extracranial arteries and may be mistaken for polymyalgia rheumatica. True polymyalgia rheumatica relapses are uncommon.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with suspected new and relapsing GCA, January 2017 to December 2023
- Participants
- 66 patients
- Exposure
- First relapse vs baseline disease on ultrasonography
- Outcome
- Nature of first relapse of GCA compared to baseline disease on ultrasonography (superficial temporal, axillary or mixed disease)
Methodological detailsprotocolised ultrasonography
- Protocolised ultrasonography
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Arterial involvement on ultrasonography
Superficial temporal artery involvement, diagnosis
48 of 66
Superficial temporal artery involvement, first relapse
20 of 66
Axillary artery involvement, diagnosis
23 of 66
Axillary artery involvement, first relapse
40 of 66
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Patients with PMR relapse
- 7/66
- Of those, superficial temporal arterial involvement at diagnosis
- 5 of those 7
Original publication
An analysis of the first relapse in giant cell arteritis using ultrasonography. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 29 January 2025. doi:10.
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