Abstract
Objective: Blindness is a recognised complication of giant cell arteritis (GCA); however the frequency and risk factors for this complication have not been firmly established. This study examined the incidence and determinants of blindness in patients with GCA using a large international cohort.
Methods: The analysis was conducted among subjects recruited into the Diagnosis and Classification Criteria in Vasculitis Study (DCAVS). The study captures consecutive patients presenting to clinic-based physicians. New onset blindness was assessed six months after diagnosis by completion of the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between blindness and clinical variables.
Results: Of 433 patients with GCA from 26 countries, 7.9% presented with blindness in at least one eye at six months. Risk factors identified at baseline for blindness at six months were identified and included prevalent stroke (OR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.30 to 15.41), and peripheral vascular disease (OR = 10.44, 95% CI: 2.94 to 37.03).
Conclusion: This is the largest study to date of subjects with incident GCA and confirms that blindness remains a common complication of disease and is associated with established vascular disease.
Methods: The analysis was conducted among subjects recruited into the Diagnosis and Classification Criteria in Vasculitis Study (DCAVS). The study captures consecutive patients presenting to clinic-based physicians. New onset blindness was assessed six months after diagnosis by completion of the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI). Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between blindness and clinical variables.
Results: Of 433 patients with GCA from 26 countries, 7.9% presented with blindness in at least one eye at six months. Risk factors identified at baseline for blindness at six months were identified and included prevalent stroke (OR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.30 to 15.41), and peripheral vascular disease (OR = 10.44, 95% CI: 2.94 to 37.03).
Conclusion: This is the largest study to date of subjects with incident GCA and confirms that blindness remains a common complication of disease and is associated with established vascular disease.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 524-528 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Rheumatology |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 8 Dec 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2017 |
Keywords
- Giant cell
- arteritis
- blindness
- DCVAS
- VDI
Profiles
-
Alexander Macgregor
- Norwich Medical School - Professor of Genetic Epidemiology
- Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging - Member
- Norwich Epidemiology Centre - Member
- Epidemiology and Public Health - Member
- Musculoskeletal Medicine - Member
- Nutrition and Preventive Medicine - Member
Person: Group Lead, Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research
-
Max Yates
- Norwich Medical School - Consultant Clinical Associate Professor
- Population Health - Member
- Norwich Epidemiology Centre - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Research Centre Member, Academic, Teaching & Research