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Management of giant-cell arteritis in Switzerland: an online national survey.
- Source :
-
Swiss medical weekly [Swiss Med Wkly] 2023 Apr 03; Vol. 153, pp. 40051. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Apr 03. - Publication Year :
- 2023
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Abstract
- Aims of the Study: To assess current practices in diagnosing, treating, and following-up giant-cell arteritis by specialists in Switzerland and to identify the main barriers to using diagnostic tools.<br />Methods: We performed a national survey of specialists potentially caring for patients with giant-cell arteritis. The survey was sent by email to all members of the Swiss Societies of Rheumatology and for Allergy and Immunology. A reminder was sent to nonresponders after 4 and 12 weeks. Its questions covered the following dimensions: respondents' main characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and imaging's role during follow-up. The main study results were summarized using descriptive statistics.<br />Results: Ninety-one specialists, primarily aged 46-65 years (n = 53/89; 59%), working in academic or nonacademic hospitals or private practice, and treating a median of 7.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-12) patients with giant-cell arteritis per year participated in this survey. Ultrasound of temporal arteries/large vessels (n = 75/90; 83%) and positron-emission-tomography-computed tomography (n = 52/91; 57%) or magnetic resonance imaging (n = 46/90; 51%) of the aorta/extracranial arteries were the most common techniques used to diagnose giant-cell arteritis with cranial or large vessel involvement, respectively. Most participants reported a short time to obtain imaging tests or arterial biopsy. The glucocorticoid tapering scheme, glucocorticoid-sparing agent, and glucocorticoid-sparing treatment duration varied among the participants. Most physicians did not follow a predefined repeat imaging scheme for follow-up and mainly relied on structural changes (vascular thickening, stenosis, or dilatation) to drive treatment choice.<br />Conclusions: This survey indicates that imaging and temporal biopsy are rapidly accessible for diagnosing giant-cell arteritis in Switzerland but highlights heterogeneous practice in many disease management areas.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1424-3997
- Volume :
- 153
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Swiss medical weekly
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 37011593
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.57187/smw.2023.40051