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Anticardiolipin antibodies in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a study of 40 cases
R Manna1, M Latteri, G Cristiano
1Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are common in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) but do not predict vascular issues. Their presence correlates with anemia, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are systemic autoimmune diseases.
- Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are associated with various autoimmune conditions.
- The role of aCL in GCA and PMR requires clarification.
Observation:
- aCL were detected in 47.5% of GCA/PMR patients, primarily IgG isotype.
- aCL presence did not correlate with inflammatory markers or arteritis signs.
- aCL levels decreased in 56% of patients undergoing steroid therapy.
Findings:
- No association was found between aCL and ischemic events in GCA/PMR.
- aCL positivity showed a correlation with anemia in GCA/PMR patients.
- The clinical significance of aCL in GCA/PMR remains to be determined.
Implications:
- aCL are not a reliable marker for vascular complications in GCA/PMR.
- The link between aCL and anemia in these conditions warrants further research.
- Understanding aCL's role may refine GCA/PMR management and diagnostics.
Abstract:
The occurrence and clinical value of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) were studied in 33 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and in seven patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), at onset and during follow-up. aCL were present in 19/40 (47.5%) GCA/PMR cases, most of them of the IgG isotype, whereas all controls (21 subjects) were aCL negative. The presence of aCL was not associated with inflammatory parameters or clinical signs of arteritis; however, they disappeared in a significant percentage (56%) of patients during steroid therapy. No correlation was found between ischaemic events and aCL, suggesting that they are not important for the development of vascular complications in GCA/PMR patients. Moreover, a retrospective evaluation of our data showed a correlation between aCL positivity and anaemia, whose significance remains to be elucidated.