Factors Associated with Relapse and Dependence on Glucocorticoids in Giant Cell Arteritis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics and factors associated with relapse and glucocorticoid (GC) dependence in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 326 consecutive patients with GCA followed for at least 12 months. Factors associated with relapse and GC dependence were identified in multivariable analyses. RESULTS: The 326 patients (73% women) were followed up for 62 (12-262) months. During followup, 171 (52%) patients relapsed, including 113 (35%) who developed GC dependence. Relapsing patients had less history of stroke (p = 0.01) and presented large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) more frequently on imaging (p = 0.01) than patients without relapse. During the first months, therapeutic strategy did not differ among relapsing and nonrelapsing patients. GC-dependent patients were less likely to have a history of stroke (p = 0.004) and presented LVV on imaging more frequently (p = 0.005) than patients without GC-dependent disease. In multivariable analyses, LVV was an independent predictive factor of relapse (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.002-2.12; p = 0.04) and GC dependence (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.05; p = 0.01). Conversely, stroke was a protective factor against relapse (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.03-0.68; p = 0.005) and GC-dependent disease (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.001-0.31; p = 0.0005). Patients with a GC-dependent disease who received a GC-sparing agent had a shorter GC treatment duration than those without (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: In this study, LVV was an independent predictor of relapse and GC dependence. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether patients with LVV require a different treatment approach.