Increased mortality rate in Takayasu arteritis is largely driven by cardiovascular disease: a cohort study

To analyse the risk, causes and predictors of mortality in Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Survival was assessed in a cohort of patients with TAK using Kaplan-Meier curves. Age- and sex-standardized mortality ratio (SMR = observed: expected deaths) for TAK were calculated by applying age- and sex-specific mortality rates for the local population to calculate expected deaths. Hazard ratios (HR with 95%CI) for predictors of mortality based on demographic characteristics, presenting features, baseline angiographic involvement, disease activity, number of immunosuppressive medications used, procedures related to TAK and any serious infection were calculated using Cox regression or exponential parametric regression models.

Among 224 patients with TAK (159 females, mean follow-up duration 44.36 months), survival at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years was 97.34%, 96.05%, 93.93% and 89.23%, respectively. Twelve deaths were observed, most of which were due to cardiovascular disease (heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke). Mortality risk was significantly higher with TAK (SMR 17.29, 95%CI 8.95-30.11) than the general population. Earlier age at disease onset (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.83-0.98; or pediatric-onset vs adult-onset disease, HR 5.51, 95%CI 1.57-19.32), higher disease activity scores (ITAS2010: HR 1.15, 95%CI 1.05-1.25, DEI.TAK: HR 1.18, 95%CI 1.08-1.29), any serious infections (HR 5.43, 95%CI 1.72-17.12), heart failure (HR 7.83, 95%CI 2.17-28.16) or coeliac trunk involvement at baseline (HR 4.01, 95%CI 1.26-12.75) were associated with elevated mortality risk.

Patients with TAK had an elevated risk of mortality as compared with the general population. Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in TAK.