Body mass index associates with disease relapse in patients with giant cell arteritis

Int J Rheum Dis. 2019 Sep;22(9):1782-1786. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13642. Epub 2019 Jun 27.

Abstract

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with disease relapse in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: We reviewed data from 30 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with GCA. The patients were divided according to relapse or non-relapse status, and their baseline characteristics were compared.

Results: Among the 30 patients, 8 relapsed at a median of 28 weeks from GCA diagnosis. Patients with relapse were male-dominant (male: 88% vs female: 41%, P = 0.02) and showed a higher body mass index (BMI, 23 kg/m2 vs 19 kg/m2 , P < 0.01) than non-relapse patients. Patients with BMI ≥ 21 kg/m2 showed a significantly higher relapse rate than those with BMI < 21 kg/m2 during the 100-week follow-up (46% vs 0%, log-rank test, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Higher BMI may be associated with relapse in patients with GCA.

Keywords: body mass index; disease relapse; giant cell arteritis; vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / complications
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Overweight / complications*
  • Overweight / diagnosis
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents