Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Characteristics and clinical significance of aortic ulcer signs on computed tomography angiography in patients with Takayasu's arteritis
Authors' conclusion
In TAK patients, aortic ulcers were independently associated with Numano V, but not with current systemic activity, suggesting they may represent chronic structural sequelae.
Study context
- Population
- Hospitalised TAK patients with computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans, Xijing Hospital, 2021–2025
- Participants
- 200 hospitalised patients
- Exposure
- Ulcer vs non-ulcer
- Ulcern = 26
- Outcome
- Clinical and disease characteristics associated with aortic ulcer signs on CTA
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, single-centre, multivariate regression
- Consecutive patients
- Single-centre
- Multivariate regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Aortic ulcers
- Prevalence among overall screened TAK patients (27/355)
- 7.6%
- Prevalence among hospitalised patients (26 of 200)
- 13.0%
- Numano V independent risk factor for aortic ulcers: OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.38-8.61
- p=0.008
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Numano V
P = 0.007
Aortic regurgitation
P = 0.003
T-SPOT TB positivity
P = 0.01
Ulcer size and location
- Median transverse diameter (mm)
- 3.4
- Median depth (mm)
- 2.4
- Predominantly thoracic aorta, aortic arch and left common carotid artery
Disease activity scores and most inflammatory markers
- No significant differences
Follow-up CTA (5 patients)
- Stable ulcer size despite vascular progression
Original publication
Characteristics and clinical significance of aortic ulcer signs on computed tomography angiography in patients with Takayasu's arteritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 10 April 2026. doi:10.
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