Vasculitis and Giant Cell Arteritis News

I hope, dear reader, that you are not tiring of my return to Eastern thought to introduce yet another major disease story in Healio Rheumatology, but I will defend myself by saying that timeless wisdom is hard to beat. Having apologized, I will explain this association in a moment, but let me first tell you how pleased I am to host this stimulating discussion on immunoglobin G4 or IgG4 disease with John H. Stone, MD; Antoine G. Sreih, MD; and Corey Perugino, DO.

At a 2011 symposium, clinicians and investigators officially categorized the group of immunoglobulin G4-associated diseases as an immunoglobin G4-related disease, or IgG4-RD. The group reached a consensus on the nomenclature in part because Japanese investigators had been using the term, and because the group wanted to drop the term “systemic” in association with diseases of this nature. However, more questions than answers remain about the diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of this relatively new group of conditions.

Among children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, elevated urinary macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels were linked with proteinuria, according to a recently published study.

Big Data: What Every Rheumatologist Should Know

Healio Rheumatology presents its most popular editorials from Leonard H. Calabrese, DO.

HealthWell Foundation has opened a fund for Medicare patients with giant cell arteritis, according to a press release.

In a phase 3 trial, tocilizumab showed positive phase 3 trial results for patients with giant cell arteritis.

Patients with giant cell arteritis incurred a higher direct cost of care vs. patients without this condition starting at 1 month before diagnosis and continuing for 4 years after diagnosis, according to recently published findings.

Among patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, changes in BMI and glucocorticoid exposure were linked to improvements in disease activity, according to a published analysis.

MADRID — ANCA-associated vasculitis demonstrated a significant association with stroke risk and a trend toward myocardial infarction, according to findings presented at the EULAR Annual Congress.