title: [Usefulness of antineutrophil cytoplamic antibodies in giant cell arteritis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relevance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) during giant cell arteritis is not established. The purpose of our study was to estimate the ANCA frequency and their impact on disease course of giant cell arteritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients were followed-up for giant cell arteritis and had a detection of ANCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patient had positive ANCA (30%). These patients had no significant differences regarding clinical and biological data or number of relapses in comparison with patients having negative ANCA testing. However, the relapse occurred earlier in the presence of ANCA (six months versus 31.5 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In giant cell arteritis, detection of ANCA seems predictive of a premature relapse and should be associated with an acute monitoring of ANCA positive patients.
authors: Service de médecine interne, CHU Jean-Minjoz, Besançon, France. hgil@chu-besancon.fr
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gil
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Mauny
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Meaux-Ruault
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Magy-Bertrand
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Roncato-Saberan
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hafsaoui
authors: J-L
authors: JL
authors: Dupond
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic