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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
06:35

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

Published on: February 8, 2019

Treatment and outcomes of large vessel arteritis

Frances A Borg1, Bhaskar Dasgupta

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Southend University Hospital, Essex, UK.

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|June 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TA) are inflammatory diseases affecting large arteries. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent vision loss and other complications.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis (TA) are systemic inflammatory conditions affecting large arteries.
  • These conditions can lead to critical ischemia and significant morbidity, including permanent vision loss in GCA.
  • Delayed diagnosis, often due to non-specific early symptoms and discordant inflammatory markers, complicates management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding and management of large vessel vasculitis, focusing on GCA and TA.
  • To highlight the challenges in early diagnosis and the role of modern imaging techniques.
  • To discuss current and potential future therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of large vessel vasculitis, focusing on diagnosis and treatment.
  • Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Evaluation of the role of imaging and novel therapies.

Main Results:

  • GCA is a medical emergency with high risk of early neuro-ophthalmic complications, including vision loss.
  • Diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis is frequently delayed.
  • Corticosteroids remain the primary treatment, with mixed results for conventional DMARDs and ongoing evaluation of biologics.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt recognition and treatment of GCA are essential to prevent irreversible vision loss.
  • Improved diagnostic strategies, including advanced imaging, are needed.
  • Further research into steroid-sparing therapies, including biologics, is required for effective long-term management of large vessel vasculitis.

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