Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Association between infection and the onset of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Our study showed a positive association between the risk of GCA and prior overall infections (occurring in the year before), and prior HZ infections.
Study context
- Population
- Epidemiological studies of any prior infection and the onset of giant cell arteritis (GCA)/polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)11 studies (10 case-control, 1 cohort)
- Comparison
- Prior infection vs no prior infection
- Outcome
- Subsequent risk of GCA and/or PMR
Methodological detailsMedline and Embase, Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale, Eight studies at low risk of bias
- Medline and Embase
- Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale
- Eight studies at low risk of bias
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Risk of GCA/PMR
Prior overall infections, pooled OR
1.27 (1.18 to 1.37) (95% CI)
Prior Herpes Zoster (HZ) infections, pooled OR
1.20 (1.08 to 1.21) (95% CI)
Further pooled results
Risk of GCA, infections within the year prior to diagnosis
- Hospital-treated infections, pooled OR
- 1.92 (1.67 to 2.21) (95% CI)
- Community-treated infections, pooled OR
- 1.67 (1.54 to 1.82) (95% CI)
Risk of GCA, excluding infections within the year prior to diagnosis
- Association no longer found
Original publication
Association between infection and the onset of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. RMD Open. Published 10 November 2023. doi:10.
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