[Current therapeutic options for giant cell arteritis].
Giant cell arteritis is the most common systemic vasculitis and affects large and medium-sized vessels. Glucocorticoids are the current standard in the therapy of giant cell arteritis. To reduce the glucocorticoid dose the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) suggests the addition of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Of these, methotrexate represents the best investigated drug; possible alternatives include azathioprine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors and cyclophosphamide.
Wipfler-Freissmuth
E
E
Abteilung für Innere Medizin, A. ö. KH der Elisabethinen, Völkermarkter Str. 15-19, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Osterreich. edith.wipfler@gmx.net
Loock
J
J
Moosig
F
F
Dejaco
C
C
Duftner
C
C
Schirmer
M
M
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000639:trends*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids