Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

<h4>Objectives</h4>Outcome assessment in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) remains challenging and this impairs patient management and the conduct of clinical studies. Previous proposals for outcome tools have not included imaging. This study aimed to develop an imaging score to quantify damage in LVV and to assess the difference between Takayasu (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA).<h4>Methods</h4>Ninety-six patients (41 TAK, 55 GCA) were identified from local registries at two University Hospitals in the UK. Radiologic lesions including stenosis, occlusion and aneurysm were evaluated in 25 arterial regions by enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography. Lesion correlation with combined damage assessment scores was employed in a multiple regression analysis to define the weight of individual lesions and develop a damage index.<h4>Results</h4>A numerical damage index was developed: the "Combined Arteritis Damage Score (CARDS)". The index was derived from a formula: number of regions with mild stenosis × 0.6 + number of regions with moderate to severe stenosis × 1.2 + number with occlusions × 1.6 + number with aneurysms × 0.8 in 25 arterial regions. The median CARDS was higher in TAK than GCA (4.1 and 0.6, interquartile range 1.3-5.7 and 0-3, p<0.001).<h4>Conclusions</h4>We have developed a damage assessment tool, CARDS, based on imaging in LVV of potential value to clinical studies and patient management. TAK and GCA differ in the radiologic severity of disease.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clinical and experimental rheumatology

Publication Date

13/03/2017

Volume

35 Suppl 103

Pages

139 - 145

Addresses

Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK. dnakagomi@hotmail.co.jp.

Keywords

Arteries, Humans, Aneurysm, Arterial Occlusive Diseases, Constriction, Pathologic, Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Diagnosis, Differential, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, Prognosis, Severity of Illness Index, Registries, Regression Analysis, Chi-Square Distribution, Retrospective Studies, Predictive Value of Tests, Hospitals, University, England, Female, Male, Takayasu Arteritis, Giant Cell Arteritis, Computed Tomography Angiography