Objective. To evaluate the frequency of visual manifestations at presentation in an Italian population-based cohort of patients with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (GCA), and to investigate predictors for the development of permanent visual loss. Methods. We identified 136 Reggio Emilia (Italy) residents with biopsy-proven GCA diagnosed between 1986 and 2002. Medical records of these 136 patients were reviewed, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected.Multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression models was performed to identify the best predictors of visual loss. Results. Visual manifestations developed in 41 patients (30.1%). Partial or total visual loss was observed in 26 patients (19.1%). Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy was seen in 24 patients

Objective. To determine laboratory parameters that may be useful in identifying polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients who require long-term corticosteroid therapy. Methods. A prospective followup study of 94 consecutive untreated patients with PMR were assessed for relapse/recurrence for a mean of 39 months. This cohort represented all the patients diagnosed over a 4-year period in 2 Italian secondary referral centers. Patients were monitored for clinical signs and symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 levels were also measured in 43 controls matched to the patients for age and sex. Results. The ESR was elevated in 91.5% of the patients prior to therapy initiation, as were CRP in 98.9% and serum IL-6 in 92.6%. Forty-seven (50.0%) patients had at least 1 relapse/recurrence during the followup period and 24 (25.5%) had at least 2. After 4 weeks of prednisone therapy, ESR was elevated in 13.2% patients, CRP in 41.9%, and serum IL-6 in 37.2%. IL-6 levels remained persistently elevated in 9.9% and CRP in 8.7% of patients during the first year of followup, whereas no patient had persistently elevated ESR. Persistently elevated CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of relapse/recurrence. In particular, patients with persistently elevated levels of IL-6 during the first year of therapy had the highest relative risk. Conclusion. Despite the control of clinical symptoms, corticosteroids do not adequately control the inflammatory process in a subset of patients with PMR who have persistently elevated levels of CRP and IL-6 and who have a higher risk of relapsing.

In GCA, hypertension, a past history of ischaemic heart disease and a low inflammatory response are associated with a higher risk of developing severe CIEs.

In this small group of patients with LVV, treatment with TCZ was effective and well tolerated. Further, larger studies are required to confirm our findings.