title: The Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score as a Measure of Disease Activity in Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis.
abstract: To evaluate the performance of the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) in the assessment of disease activity in giant cell arteritis (GCA).
  
  
  
  Patients with GCA enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study with symptoms of active vasculitis during any visit were included. Spearman's rank correlation was used to explore the association of the BVAS with other measures of disease activity.
  
  
  
  During a mean (SD) followup of 2.3 (1.6) years, symptoms of active GCA were present in 236 visits in 136 subjects (100 female, 74%). Median (range) BVAS1 (new/worse symptoms) was 1 (0-10) and median (range) BVAS2 (persistent symptoms) was 0 (0-5). Median (range) physician's global assessment (PGA) was 4 (0-9) for disease activity in the past 28 days and 2 (0-9) for activity on the day of the visit. Important ischemic manifestations of active vasculitis not recorded by the BVAS included tongue/jaw claudication (27%), upper extremity claudication (15%), lower extremity claudication (5%), carotidynia (7%), and ischemic retinopathy (5%). During 25 visits (11%) with active disease, all symptoms of active vasculitis were placed in the "Other" category yet still resulted in a BVAS1 and BVAS2 of 0. BVAS1 moderately correlated with PGA for the past 28 days (Spearman's correlation 0.50) and physician-rated disease activity for the past 28 days (Spearman's correlation 0.46).
  
  
  
  The BVAS has limited utility in GCA. Patients with active GCA can have a BVAS of 0. Many important ischemic symptoms attributable to active vasculitis are not included in the composite score.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Tanaz A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kermani
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cuthbertson
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carette
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Nader A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Khalidi
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Curry L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Koening
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKinnon-Maksimowicz
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McAlear
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Monach
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Warrington
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ytterberg
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Merkel
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.T.A. Kermani, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles; D. Cuthbertson, MS, Department of Biostatistics, University of South Florida; S. Carette, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai Hospital; G.S. Hoffman, MD, MS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; N.A. Khalidi, MD, FRCPC, Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare, McMaster University; C.L. Koening, MD, MS, Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah; C.A. Langford, MD, MHS, Center for Vasculitis Care and Research, Cleveland Clinic; K. McKinnon-Maksimowicz, DO, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh; C.A. McAlear, MA, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pennsylvania; P.A. Monach, MD, PhD, The Vasculitis Center, Section of Rheumatology, and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Boston University School of Medicine; P. Seo, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University; K.J. Warrington, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Matteson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D063189:Symptom Assessment
keywords: BIRMINGHAM VASCULITIS ACTIVITY SCORE; COHORT STUDY; DISEASE ACTIVITY; GIANT CELL ARTERITIS