EULAR recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis.
OBJECTIVE
To develop European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis.


METHODS
An expert group (10 rheumatologists, 3 nephrologists, 2 immunolgists, 2 internists representing 8 European countries and the USA, a clinical epidemiologist and a representative from a drug regulatory agency) identified 10 topics for a systematic literature search through a modified Delphi technique. In accordance with standardised EULAR operating procedures, recommendations were derived for the management of large vessel vasculitis. In the absence of evidence, recommendations were formulated on the basis of a consensus opinion.


RESULTS
Seven recommendations were made relating to the assessment, investigation and treatment of patients with large vessel vasculitis. The strength of recommendations was restricted by the low level of evidence and EULAR standardised operating procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of evidence and expert consensus, management recommendations for large vessel vasculitis have been formulated and are commended for use in everyday clinical practice.
Mukhtyar
C
C
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Guillevin
L
L
Cid
M C
MC
Dasgupta
B
B
de Groot
K
K
Gross
W
W
Hauser
T
T
Hellmich
B
B
Jayne
D
D
Kallenberg
C G M
CG
Merkel
P A
PA
Raspe
H
H
Salvarani
C
C
Scott
D G I
DG
Stegeman
C
C
Watts
R
R
Westman
K
K
Witter
J
J
Yazici
H
H
Luqmani
R
R
D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D001241:Aspirin