Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Risk of hospitalization with pneumonia in patients with giant cell arteritis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis
Authors' conclusion
Patients with GCA or AAV had increased risk of HP compared with matched controls. Comorbidities and recent immunosuppressive treatment were associated with higher risk of HP
Study context
- Population
- Patients with GCA and ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV) diagnosed 2000–2021, Danish National Patient Registry, and matched controls
- Participants
- 9,307 / 92,806 / 2,401 / 24,013
- Exposure
- GCA or AAV vs matched controls
- GCAn = 9,307
- GCA controlsn = 92,806reference
- AAVn = 2,401
- AAV controlsn = 24,013reference
- Outcome
- Risk of hospitalization with pneumonia (HP): cumulative incidence proportion (CIP) and risk difference (RD) vs matched controls
- Follow-up
- After one, two and five years
Methodological detailsmatched 1:10 on sex and year of birth, pseudo-observation method, nested case-control analysis, Danish National Patient Registry
- Matched 1:10 on sex and year of birth
- Pseudo-observation method
- Nested case-control analysis
- Danish National Patient Registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hospitalization with pneumonia: CIP and RD vs matched controls
GCA
- Cumulative incidence proportion (CIP) after one year
- 6.0% (5.5-6.5)
- CIP after two years
- 9.4% (8.8-10.0)
- CIP after five years
- 17.6% (16.8-18.4)
AAV
- CIP after one year
- 12.6% (11.2-13.9)
- CIP after two years
- 17.9% (16.3-19.5)
- CIP after five years
- 28.3% (26.4-30.3)
Cumulative incidence proportion (CIP) after one year
GCA6.0% (5.5-6.5)
AAV12.6% (11.2-13.9)
CIP after two years
GCA9.4% (8.8-10.0)
AAV17.9% (16.3-19.5)
CIP after five years
GCA17.6% (16.8-18.4)
AAV28.3% (26.4-30.3)
RD (CI)
GCAvs Matched controlsafter one year
3.0%(2.6–3.5)
GCAvs Matched controlsafter two years
3.8%(3.2–4.4)
GCAvs Matched controlsafter five years
5.3%(4.5–6.1)
AAVvs Matched controlsafter one year
10.1%(8.8–11.5)
AAVvs Matched controlsafter two years
14.8%(12.3–15.4)
AAVvs Matched controlsafter five years
20.4%(17.9–21.8)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Variables affecting risk of hospitalization with pneumonia (HP) (nested case-control analysis)
- Comorbidities and immunosuppressive treatment associated with higher risk of HP
Original publication
Risk of hospitalization with pneumonia in patients with giant cell arteritis and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 29 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →