Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Methylprednisolone pulses are associated with faster remission in Giant Cell Arteritis: a multicentre inception cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In this real-world multicentre cohort, MP during induction were associated with faster remission and significant glucocorticoid sparing without increased short-term toxicity.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with newly diagnosed Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) according to the 2022 ACR/EULAR classification criteria
- Participants
- 206 patients
- Exposure
- IV methylprednisolone pulses vs oral glucocorticoids (GCs) as induction therapy
- Methylprednisolone (MP)n = 116
- Outcome
- Time to remission
Methodological detailsobservational, multicentre, inception cohort, inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA)
- Observational
- Multicentre
- Inception cohort
- Inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
MP vs Oral GCsHR for remission (95% CI)P value
Adjusted Weibull regression
2.44(1.66–3.59)
P < 0.001- Time to remission
- average treatment effect (ATE), IPWRA −14.2 weeks (95% CI - 20.5 to - 7.8); P < 0.001
- Overall remission, median time 8.6 weeks (all patients)
- 196 (95.1%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Median cumulative prednisone dose
P < 0.001
Average daily prednisone dose until remission
P < 0.001
Daily and cumulative prednisone doses · 3 months
- MP group required lower daily and cumulative prednisone doses
Safety
Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis · 3 months
- Fewer cases in the MP group
Original publication
Methylprednisolone pulses are associated with faster remission in Giant Cell Arteritis: a multicentre inception cohort study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 20 March 2026. doi:10.
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