[Treatment of giant cell arteritis]

Abstract

Corticosteroids (CS) remain the main treatment for giant cell arteritis (GCA). The choice of initial prednisone dosage (from 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/d) takes into account the disease severity and comorbidities in order to reduce the drug side effects. Low-dose aspirin may benefit to patients suffering ischemic complications or with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Randomised controlled trials are necessary to precise its benefit-to-risk ratio. Methotrexate has a moderate corticosteroid sparing effect but it does not prevent cephalic complications and there is no evidence of a reduced frequency of CS adverse effects with this drug. Hydroxychloroquine and infliximab or adalimumab did not prevent relapses in double blind controlled trials. High doses of intravenous methylprednisolone are often prescribed for severe ischemic complications though there is no evidence that such doses are superior to classical doses. In corticosteroid dependent patients, the benefit-to-risk ratio of immunosuppressive drugs is unknown. Dapsone is no longer prescribed due to severe adverse effects. Efficacy of tocilizumab is very promising but its benefit-to-risk ratio in old people is largely unknown. Finding a well tolerated corticosteroid sparing drug remains a challenge and further studies are necessary to reduce the long term rate of cardiovascular events and the burden of CS adverse effects.