Disease stratification in GCA and PMR: state of the art and future perspectives

Can Ultrasound Replace Temporal Artery Biopsy for Diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis?

“…9–11 GCA is closely related to polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), both in terms of etiology and response to treatment, and recently, it has been suggested that these diseases should be approached under the unified term GCA-PMR spectrum disease. 12…”

“…Here, it is important for me to emphasize that the real-world situation rarely spoils us with a clear chance to distinguish between a cranial and an extracranial phenotype to start with, and there is increasing support for the use of the more inclusive term “GCA-PMR spectrum disease” to more accurately embrace the vast heterogeneity of this disorder. 12…”

Risk loci involved in giant cell arteritis susceptibility: a genome-wide association study

“… 1 This type of large-vessel vasculitis primarily affects the aorta and its branches, resulting in ischaemic complications if not promptly treated. 2 Giant cell arteritis not only reduces the quality of life for affected individuals, but also imposes a considerable socioeconomic burden on health-care systems given the high health-care costs associated with disease complications (eg, blindness, cerebrovascular accident, and aortic aneurysms) and glucocorticoid toxicity.…”

Referral of patients with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica: how complete is our view of ‘planet PMR?’

“…Belying this, not only may mimicking conditions seem to respond to GC treatment, but GC response may be absent in up to one in four patients with PMR after 4 weeks of treatment 10. Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and PMR can be regarded as a spectrum of disease, and the possible concomitant presence of GCA in about one in five patients with apparently isolated PMR in either overt or subclinical forms may further complicate the clinical picture 11…”

“…An initial systematic literature review informed the proposed population, intervention, control and outcomes format questions underlying the recommendations 18. The two overarching principles are patient-focused, stating that management of patients with suspected PMR should be based on shared decisions between the patient and the healthcare provider and highlighting the necessity of informing patients of the potential overlap with GCA, a dangerous and insidious companion of PMR 11…”