CD8+ T lymphocyte subset in giant cell arteritis and related disorders.
Median percentage and number of circulating CD8+ T lymphocytes (suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes) are markedly decreased in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). We assessed the diagnostic usefulness of CD8+ T cell values, in 108 patients who had a temporal artery biopsy during a 3 year period. Histologic evidence of GCA was found in 26 patients. Negative biopsy patients were divided into 2 groups, one with 49 patients and a probable GCA syndrome (polymyalgia rheumatica with a negative biopsy) and a group with non-GCA (33 patients). Median percentage and number of CD8+ T cells were significantly decreased with definite GCA (CD8+% 10.0, CD8+ cells 0.221 x 10(9)/l), and probable GCA syndrome (CD8+% 10.0, CD8+ cells 0.197 x 10(9)/l) compared with non-GCA (CD8+% 22.0, CD8+ cells 0.527 x 10(9)/l) and controls (CD8% 21, CD8+ cells 0.518 x 10(9)/l). Significantly low CD8+ T cell values were found in nearly 80% of patients with active untreated GCA or GCA syndrome and in 15% of patients with non-GCA. Positive predictive value of a significant low CD8+ T cell value is 85% while the likelihood of no GCA or GCA syndrome with normal CD8+ T cell values is 60%.
Elling
P
P
Department of Medicine, Randers Central Hospital, Denmark.
Olsson
A
A
Elling
H
H
D001706:Biopsy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000473:pathology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000473:pathology*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000473:pathology