title: [Disease activity assessment in large vessel vasculitis].
abstract: Disease activity assessment in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is often challenging for physicians. In this study, we compared the assessment of disease activity based on inflammatory markers, clinical indices (Indian Takayasu Activity Score [ITAS] and the Kerr/National Institute of Health indices [Kerr/NIH]), and 18F-Fluorodesossiglucose (FGD) vascular uptake at positron emission tomography (Pet). We found that Pet results did not statistically correlate with the clinical indices ITAS and Kerr/NIH, because FDG uptake was increased (grade>2 on a 0-3 scale in at least one evaluated vascular segment) in many patients with inactive disease according to clinical and laboratory parameters (i.e., negative ITAS and Kerr/NIH indices as well as normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (PCR)). Similarly, interleukin- 6 and its soluble receptor did not statistically correlate with disease activity. In contrast, clinical indices showed a significant correlation between each other and with inflammatory markers (VES and PCR). These data suggest that while clinical indices and inflammatory markers may be useful to assess disease activity, Pet may be more sensitive.
authors.affiliation: Struttura Complessa di Reumatologia, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Viale Risorgimento 80, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Versari
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salvo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casali
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germanò
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meliconi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulsatelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Formisano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bajocchi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pipitone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boiardi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salvarani
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D002097:C-Reactive Protein