Applanation Tonometry in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this observational prospective cohort study is to assess if: temporal artery stiffness measurement by applanation tonometry may help predict a final diagnosis of new-onset GCA In patients with a diagnosis of GCA, identify if temporal artery stiffness measured by applanation tonometry improves with treatment.

Detailed Description
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Applanation tonometry (a technique that measures the pulsation of the arteries with a probe, like ultrasound), measures the stiffness of the arteries. This technique is increasingly used for the diagnosis and monitoring of high blood pressure in routine practice. The presence of systemic inflammation, was already demonstrated to cause increased arterial stiffness, at various arterial levels, in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Takayasu's arteritis. Objectives : To establish if temporal artery stiffness measurement may help predict a final diagnosis of new-onset GCA In patients with a diagnosis of GCA, identify if temporal artery stiffness improves with treatment

Official Title
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Applanation Tonometry in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of New-Onset Giant Cell Arteritis

Conditions
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Giant Cell Arteritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Applanation tonometry


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients referred to our fast-track vasculitis clinic with a clinical suspicion of new-onset GCA. Must have a duration of glucocorticoid treatment of less than 14 days. Must sign informed consent Participation must be able to attend a 3 month follow-up visit, and in those with GCA, longitudinal clinic visits Exclusion Criteria: Prior temporal artery biopsy before study enrollment Chronic use of immunosupressive therapy or glucocorticoids for more than 14 days

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years
Maximum Age: 95 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Diagnostic Test: Applanation tonometry|Applanation tonometry will be used to measure arterial stiffness in these segments, bilaterally: Superficial temporal artery to frontal temporal artery Superficial temporal artery to parietal temporal artery Common carotid artery to frontal temporal artery Common carotid artery to parietal temporal artery Common carotid artery to femoral artery|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Comparison of arterial striffness of temporal arteries in patients with vs. without new-onset GCA |  | Baseline | 
| Comparison of arterial striffness of extra-cranial arteries in patients with vs. without new-onset GCA |  | Baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Assessment of variability in arterial stiffness (cranial and extra-cranial) during the course of therapy of patients with GCA |  | Month 3 and clinical relapse (up to 24 months after study inclusion) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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diagnosis