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Updated: Sep 13, 2025

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
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Correlation and Risk Assessment of Inflammation-Based Parameters on Cardiovascular Parameters and Clinical Events in

Leyla Schweiger1, Andreas Meinitzer2, Dieter Szolar3

  • 1Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

In patients with inactive giant cell arteritis (GCA), elevated white blood cells and neutrophils correlate with endothelial dysfunction and predict disease relapse. Other inflammatory markers did not predict cardiovascular events or mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis affecting large arteries.
  • Endothelial dysfunction and lipid abnormalities are common in GCA.
  • Inflammation-based biomarkers may offer insights into GCA pathogenesis and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between inflammation biomarkers, endothelial dysfunction, and lipids in GCA.
  • To determine the predictive value of these biomarkers for clinical outcomes in GCA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 138 patients with inactive GCA.
  • Assessment of inflammatory biomarkers, endothelial dysfunction markers, and lipid parameters.
  • Logistic regression analysis to evaluate predictive value for clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts were observed in GCA patients without polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms or those receiving initial glucocorticoid pulse therapy.
  • Significant correlations were found between inflammation-based ratios, endothelial dysfunction markers, and lipid parameters.
  • Elevated white blood cells and neutrophils independently predicted disease relapse in GCA patients.

Conclusions:

  • Selected inflammatory parameters correlate with endothelial dysfunction and dyslipidemia in inactive GCA.
  • White blood cells and neutrophils are significant predictors of disease relapse in GCA.
  • No significant associations were found between inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular events, mortality, or glucocorticoid adverse effects.

Keywords:
biomarkerscardiovascular riskgiant cell arteritisinflammation

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