Total Vascular Score From PET Scans Prognostic in Giant Cell Arteritis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Oct. 3, 2023 -- For patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), a higher total vascular score (TVS) based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging at diagnosis is associated with a greater increase in thoracic aortic dimensions, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Lien Moreel, M.D., from the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, and colleagues conducted a prospective cohort study involving 106 patients with GCA and FDG PET three days or less after glucocorticoid initiation. Participants underwent PET and computed tomography (CT) imaging at diagnosis and CT imaging annually for up to 10 years. The PET scans were scored in seven vascular areas and summed for a TVS. When FDG uptake was grade 2 or greater in any large vessel, PET scan results were positive.
The researchers found that patients with a positive versus a negative PET scan result had a greater increase in the diameter of the ascending aorta, the diameter of the descending aorta, and the volume of the thoracic aorta (difference in five-year progression, 1.58 mm, 1.32 mm, and 20.5 cm3, respectively). There was a positive association seen for these thoracic aortic dimensions with TVS. The risk for thoracic aortic aneurysms was higher for patients with a positive PET scan result (adjusted hazard ratio, 10.21).
"In addition to diagnostic information, performing PET imaging at diagnosis in patients with GCA may help estimate the future risk for aortic aneurysm formation," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted October 2023
Read this next
Mortality in Rheumatic Heart Disease Is High
FRIDAY, June 7, 2024 -- Mortality related to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is high and is correlated with the severity of valve disease, according to a study published online June...
Higher County-Level Prostate Cancer Screening Tied to Better Outcomes
FRIDAY, June 7, 2024 -- Higher county-level prevalence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is associated with lower odds of advanced disease, all-cause mortality, and...
Metabolic Impact on Offspring Similar for Frozen, Fresh Embryo Transfer
FRIDAY, June 7, 2024 -- For glucose and lipid profiles during early childhood, the impact of frozen embryo transfer (FET) is comparable to that of fresh embryo transfer, according...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.