Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Sustained drug-free remission in giant cell arteritis
An erratum to this article was published (Rheumatology (Oxford), 1 Jul 2025 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
Within 3-4 years of diagnosis, only one-quarter of patients with GCA successfully reached the SDFR. Once the SDFR was achieved, the likelihood of experiencing recurrence was low.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with GCA in the Spanish multicentre registry ARTESER with at least 2 years of follow-up
- Participants
- 872 patients
- Outcome
- Sustained drug-free remission (SDFR): absence of signs, symptoms or other features of active GCA for ≥12 months after discontinuation of treatment
Methodological detailsmulticentre registry (ARTESER), ≥2 years of follow-up, 47% received concomitant tocilizumab and/or immunosuppressants, mainly MTX
- Multicentre registry (ARTESER)
- ≥2 years of follow-up
- 47% received concomitant tocilizumab and/or immunosuppressants, mainly MTX
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Sustained drug-free remission (SDFR) achieved
21.2%
185/872
Cumulative SDFR at 2 years
6.3%
Cumulative SDFR at 3 years
20.5%
Cumulative SDFR at 4 years
25.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Values |
|---|---|
| Recurrence after achieving SDFR | SDFR 2.7% |
- Recurrence after achieving SDFR — Median onset after achieving SDFR, months (IQR 14-35)
- 19
Cumulative rate of SDFR · 2, 3 and 4 years
- At 2 years
- 6.3%
- At 3 years
- 20.5%
- At 4 years
- 25.3%
Faster prednisone reduction in SDFR vs no SDFR
- To 10 mg/day
- P = 0.090
- To 5 mg/day
- P = 0.002
Relapses less frequent in patients with SDFR
- Relapses less frequent with SDFR
- P = 0.006
Predictors of decreased likelihood of SDFR
- Presence of relapses, IRR 0.492
- P < 0.001
- Need for i.v. methylprednisolone boluses at diagnosis, IRR 0.575
- P = 0.003
Original publication
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