AIM: To examine the effect of up to 6 weeks of corticosteroid treatment on the positive temporal artery biopsy rate in giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Prospective comparative clinical study of 11 patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of GCA. Patients underwent temporal artery biopsy within 1 week, at 2-3 weeks, or after 4 weeks of corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: Overall, nine of 11 (82%) patients had positive temporal artery biopsies. Six of seven (86%) biopsies performed after 4 or more weeks of steroid treatment were positive. CONCLUSION:Temporal artery biopsy is useful several weeks after institution of steroids.
RCT Entities:
AIM: To examine the effect of up to 6 weeks of corticosteroid treatment on the positive temporal artery biopsy rate in giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: Prospective comparative clinical study of 11 patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of GCA. Patients underwent temporal artery biopsy within 1 week, at 2-3 weeks, or after 4 weeks of corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: Overall, nine of 11 (82%) patients had positive temporal artery biopsies. Six of seven (86%) biopsies performed after 4 or more weeks of steroid treatment were positive. CONCLUSION: Temporal artery biopsy is useful several weeks after institution of steroids.
Authors: C Robb-Nicholson; R W Chang; S Anderson; W N Roberts; J Longtine; J Corson; M Larson; D George; J Green; G Bryant Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 1988-12 Impact factor: 4.666