Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Imaging to predict early relapses after treatment discontinuation in patients with large vessel giant cell arteritis – A cohort study
Authors' conclusion
PET/CT or MRI at treatment stop did not predict relapse and may not be suited to guide treatment decisions in patients with LV-GCA in remission.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA) whose treatment was discontinued between 2018 and 2023, imaged with PET/CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at treatment discontinuation in clinical remission77.5 % females
- Participants
- 40 patients
- Exposure
- Patients who relapsed within 4 months after treatment discontinuation vs those who remained in remission
- Relapsen = 11
- Outcome
- Prediction of relapse by PET/CT and MRI scores of the aorta and supraaortic vessels at treatment discontinuation
- Follow-up
- 4 months
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Active vasculitis on MRI and/or PET/CT
P = 1.0
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Relapse | Remission | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of segments with vasculitic findings on MRI | 0 (IQR 0.0–1.5) | 2 (IQR 0.0–3.0) | P = 0.221 |
| Highest SUV artery/liver ratio on PET/CT | 1.5 (IQR 1.4–1.6) | 1.3 (IQR 1.2–1.6) | P = 0.505 |
| Number of vasculitic segments on PET/CTMedian | 2.5 (IQR 0.5–4.5) | 0 (IQR 0.0–1.5) | P = 0.085 |
| PET/CT scoresMedian | 4.5 (IQR 0.75–8.25) | 0 (IQR 0.0–3.0) | P = 0.172 |
- Relapse after treatment discontinuation
- 27.5 % · 11
- Relapse after treatment discontinuation — Time to relapse
- 1.9 months, IQR 1.4-3.3
Original publication
Imaging to predict early relapses after treatment discontinuation in patients with large vessel giant cell arteritis – A cohort study. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 28 February 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →