Incidence of Severe Infections and Infection‐Related Mortality During the Course of Giant Cell Arteritis: A Multicenter, Prospective, Double‐Cohort Study

Abstract

Frequencies of severe infections and rates of infection-related mortality are increased during the first year after the diagnosis of GCA. The risk of infection increases in GCA patients with older age or in the presence of diabetes, or is greater when the dosage of corticosteroids has been increased to >10 mg/day after 12 months of treatment.