scholarly journals EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging in large vessel vasculitis in clinical practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 636-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Dejaco ◽  
Sofia Ramiro ◽  
Christina Duftner ◽  
Florent L Besson ◽  
Thorsten A Bley ◽  
...  

To develop evidence-based recommendations for the use of imaging modalities in primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV) including giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) standardised operating procedures were followed. A systematic literature review was conducted to retrieve data on the role of imaging modalities including ultrasound, MRI, CT and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in LVV. Based on evidence and expert opinion, the task force consisting of 20 physicians, healthcare professionals and patients from 10 EULAR countries developed recommendations, with consensus obtained through voting. The final level of agreement was voted anonymously. A total of 12 recommendations have been formulated. The task force recommends an early imaging test in patients with suspected LVV, with ultrasound and MRI being the first choices in GCA and TAK, respectively. CT or PET may be used alternatively. In case the diagnosis is still in question after clinical examination and imaging, additional investigations including temporal artery biopsy and/or additional imaging are required. In patients with a suspected flare, imaging might help to better assess disease activity. The frequency and choice of imaging modalities for long-term monitoring of structural damage remains an individual decision; close monitoring for aortic aneurysms should be conducted in patients at risk for this complication. All imaging should be performed by a trained specialist using appropriate operational procedures and settings. These are the first EULAR recommendations providing up-to-date guidance for the role of imaging in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with (suspected) LVV.

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Hellmich ◽  
Ana Agueda ◽  
Sara Monti ◽  
Frank Buttgereit ◽  
Hubert de Boysson ◽  
...  

BackgroundSince the publication of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) in 2009, several relevant randomised clinical trials and cohort analyses have been published, which have the potential to change clinical care and therefore supporting the need to update the original recommendations.MethodsUsing EULAR standardised operating procedures for EULAR-endorsed recommendations, the EULAR task force undertook a systematic literature review and sought opinion from 20 experts from 13 countries. We modified existing recommendations and created new recommendations.ResultsThree overarching principles and 10 recommendations were formulated. We recommend that a suspected diagnosis of LVV should be confirmed by imaging or histology. High dose glucocorticoid therapy (40–60 mg/day prednisone-equivalent) should be initiated immediately for induction of remission in active giant cell arteritis (GCA) or Takayasu arteritis (TAK). We recommend adjunctive therapy in selected patients with GCA (refractory or relapsing disease, presence of an increased risk for glucocorticoid-related adverse events or complications) using tocilizumab. Methotrexate may be used as an alternative. Non-biological glucocorticoid-sparing agents should be given in combination with glucocorticoids in all patients with TAK and biological agents may be used in refractory or relapsing patients. We no longer recommend the routine use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy for treatment of LVV unless it is indicated for other reasons.ConclusionsWe have updated the recommendations for the management of LVV to facilitate the translation of current scientific evidence and expert opinion into better management and improved outcome of patients in clinical practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1798.2-1798
Author(s):  
C. Wang ◽  
H. Song ◽  
Z. Yu ◽  
M. Quan

Background:Takayasu arteritis (TA) is the most prevalent large-vessel vasculitis in children. Patients with TA have a high mobidity and mortality.It remains a therapeutic challenge because corticosteroids monotherapy can rarely cure TAK and the relapse rate is high during GC tapering.Objectives:The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ)in Chinese children with Takayasu arteritis(TAK).Methods:We retrospectively studied 6 TAK children treated with TCZ in our hospital from July 2017 to October 2018. The demographic and clinical data, laboratory examination results and vascular imaging data were collected.Results:Six pediatric patients with critical or refractory TAK treated with TCZ were analyzed, including 3 males and 3 females.The diagnosis age was ranging in age from 2 to 13 years(median age:7 years).Three patients were initially treated with TCZ and Mycophenolate Mofetil(MMF) as the first-line regimen without corticosteroid or with a quite rapid GC taper duration,two of which had lifte-threatening coronary arteries involved and heart failure.The other three paitients were swcithed to TCZ from conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or other biologics due to being refractory to them and recurrent relapses.Four patients were given TCZ at 4 weeks regular intervals for 10 to 22 months,while two patients withdrew TCZ because of disease deterioration and unbearable abdominal or chest pain after the second dose.After 6 months follow-up,four patients experienced significant clinical and biological improvement with angiographically progression in one patient. A corticosteroid-sparing effect is obvious. Drug-related side effects occur in 1 patients manifesting as a mild elevated liver fuction. Neither neutropenia nor infection was observed.Conclusion:Our study shows a clinical, biological, and radiological response in patients with refractory TAK treated with TCZ.References :[1]Hellmich B, Agueda A, Monti S,et al.2018 Update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;0:1–12. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215672.[2]BravoMancheño B, Perin F, Guez Vázquez Del ReyMDMR, García Sánchez A, Alcázar Romero PP. Successful tocilizumab treatment in a child with refractory Takayasu arteritis.Pediatrics 2012;130(6):e1720-724.[3]Goel R, Danda D, Kumar S, Joseph G. Rapid control of disease activity by tocilizumab in 10 «difficult-to-treat» cases of Takayasu arteritis. Int J Rheum Dis 2013;16(6):754–61.[4]Cañas CA, Cañas F, Izquierdo JH, Echeverri A-F, Mejía M, Bonilla-Abadía F, et al. Efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin 6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) in Colombian patients with Takayasu arteritis. J Clin Rheumatol Pract Rep Rheum Musculoskelet Dis 2014;20(3):125–9.[5]Batu ED, Sönmez HE, Hazirolan T, Özaltin F, Bilginer Y, Özen S. Tocilizumab treatment in childhood Takayasu arteritis: case series of four patients and systematic review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2017 Feb;46(4):529–35.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 519.2-519
Author(s):  
G. Pazzola ◽  
M. Casali ◽  
F. Muratore ◽  
N. Pipitone ◽  
L. Boiardi ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Mukhtyar ◽  
L Guillevin ◽  
M C Cid ◽  
B Dasgupta ◽  
K de Groot ◽  
...  

Objectives:To develop European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis.Methods:An expert group (10 rheumatologists, 3 nephrologists, 2 immunolgists, 2 internists representing 8 European countries and the USA, a clinical epidemiologist and a representative from a drug regulatory agency) identified 10 topics for a systematic literature search through a modified Delphi technique. In accordance with standardised EULAR operating procedures, recommendations were derived for the management of large vessel vasculitis. In the absence of evidence, recommendations were formulated on the basis of a consensus opinion.Results:Seven recommendations were made relating to the assessment, investigation and treatment of patients with large vessel vasculitis. The strength of recommendations was restricted by the low level of evidence and EULAR standardised operating procedures.Conclusions:On the basis of evidence and expert consensus, management recommendations for large vessel vasculitis have been formulated and are commended for use in everyday clinical practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Bech ◽  
Jette Primdahl ◽  
Astrid van Tubergen ◽  
Marieke Voshaar ◽  
Heidi A Zangi ◽  
...  

To update the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) using the most up to date evidence. The EULAR standardised operating procedures were followed. A task force of rheumatologists, health professionals and patients, representing 17 European countries updated the recommendations, based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. Higher level of evidence and new insights into nursing care for patients with CIA were added to the recommendation. Level of agreement was obtained by email voting. The search identified 2609 records, of which 51 (41 papers, 10 abstracts), mostly on rheumatoid arthritis, were included. Based on consensus, the task force formulated three overarching principles and eight recommendations. One recommendation remained unchanged, six were reworded, two were merged and one was reformulated as an overarching principle. Two additional overarching principles were formulated. The overarching principles emphasise the nurse’s role as part of a healthcare team, describe the importance of providing evidence-based care and endorse shared decision-making in the nursing consultation with the patient. The recommendations cover the contribution of rheumatology nursing in needs-based patient education, satisfaction with care, timely access to care, disease management, efficiency of care, psychosocial support and the promotion of self-management. The level of agreement among task force members was high (mean 9.7, range 9.6-10.0). The updated recommendations encompass three overarching principles and eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of CIA.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 987-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Knevel ◽  
M Schoels ◽  
T W J Huizinga ◽  
D Aletaha ◽  
G R Burmester ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo perform a systematic literature review of effective strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsAs part of a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Task Force investigation, a literature search was carried out from January 1962 until February 2009 in PubMed/Ovid Embase/Cochrane and EULAR/American College of Rheumatism (ACR)) abstracts (2007/2008) for studies with a treatment strategy adjusted to target a predefined outcome. Articles were systematically reviewed and clinical outcome, physical function and structural damage were compared between intensive and less intensive strategies. The results were evaluated by an expert panel to consolidate evidence on treatment strategies in RA.ResultsThe search identified two different kinds of treatment strategies: strategies in which the reason for treatment adjustment differed between the study arms (‘steering strategies’, n=13) and strategies in which all trial arms used the same clinical outcome to adjust treatment with different pharmacological treatments (‘medication strategies’, n=7). Both intensive steering strategies and intensive medication strategies resulted in better outcome than less intensive strategies in patients with early active RA.ConclusionIntensive steering strategies and intensive medication strategies produce a better clinical outcome, improved physical function and less structural damage than conventional steering or treatment. Proof in favour of any steering method is lacking and the best medication sequence is still not known.


2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A636.2-A636
Author(s):  
M. Osman ◽  
C. Pagnoux ◽  
J. Homik ◽  
D. Dryden ◽  
D. Storie ◽  
...  

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