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Clinical relevance of persistently elevated circulating cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin‐6) in the long‐term followup of patients with giant cell arteritis
Author(s) -
GarcíaMartínez Ana,
HernándezRodríguez José,
EspígolFrigolé Georgina,
PrietoGonzález Sergio,
Butjosa Montserrat,
Segarra Marta,
Lozano Ester,
Cid Maria C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.20043
Subject(s) - prednisone , medicine , giant cell arteritis , gastroenterology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , arteritis , adverse effect , clinical significance , surgery , vasculitis , disease
Objective To assess the clinical relevance of increased circulating cytokines in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) after long‐term followup. Methods We performed a cross‐sectional evaluation of 54 patients with biopsy‐proven GCA prospectively followed for a median of 5.4 years (range 4–10.5 years). GCA‐related complications, vascular events, relapses, current prednisone dose, time required to achieve a maintenance prednisone dosage <10 mg/day, cumulated prednisone at that point, and adverse effects during followup were recorded. Serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were determined by immunoassay. Results All patients were in clinical remission. Both cytokines were significantly higher in patients than in controls (mean ± SD 21 ± 35 versus 5 ± 11 pg/ml; P < 0.001 for IL‐6 and mean ± SD 32 ± 14 versus 16 ± 9 pg/ml; P < 0.001 for TNFα). No differences were found in patients with or without GCA‐related complications or vascular events during followup. Circulating cytokines were significantly higher in patients who had experienced relapses (mean ± SD 25 ± 39 versus 10 ± 11 pg/ml; P = 0.04 for IL‐6 and mean ± SD 34 ± 15 versus 25 ± 11 pg/ml; P = 0.042 for TNFα). IL‐6 was significantly higher in patients still requiring prednisone (mean ± SD 29 ± 45 versus 13 ± 17 pg/ml; P = 0.008), and TNFα correlated with cumulated prednisone dose (r = 0.292, P = 0.04). No significant relationship was found between elevated cytokines and prednisone adverse effects or patients' quality of life. Conclusion Circulating TNFα and IL‐6 may persist elevated in GCA patients after long‐term followup and remain higher in patients who have experienced more relapsing disease. However, in this patient cohort, elevated circulating cytokines were not associated with increased frequency of GCA complications, vascular events, or treatment‐related side effects.