Drug-Free Remission in Giant Cell Arteritis is Uncommon Save

A Spanish retrospective registry study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) found that 3-4 years after diagnosis, only 21% of patients with GCA successfully reached the sustained drug-free remission (SDFR). But if SDFR was achieved, the likelihood of experiencing recurrence was low. 

Retrospective study included 872 GCA patients in the ARTESER registry for at least two years of follow-up. nearly half (47%) had received concomitant treatment with tocilizumab and/or immunosuppressants, mainly methotrexate.

• SDFR was achieved in 21.2% 
• SDFR at 2, 3, and 4 years were 6.3%, 20.5%, and 25.3%, respectively.

Faster steroid reductions were seen in SDFR patients, for those getting to prednisone 10mg/day (p = 0.090) or 5 mg/day (p = 0.002). Relapses were less frequent in patients with SDFR (p = 0.006).

Only 5 patients (2.7%) experienced a recurrence, with a median onset of 19 months after achieving SDFR (14–35 months).