AB0643 The Epidemiology of Takayasu Arteritis: A Hospital-Based Study from Northwestern Part of Turkey
Authors: F. Saritas, O.N. Pamuk, S. Dönmez
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2015)

<h3>Background</h3> Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory large vessel vasculitis that affects aorta and its main branches. Although there were some series and genetic studies about TA in our country, there has been no study about the incidence of TA. <h3>Objectives</h3> We aimed to evaluate the incidence and prevalence of TA patients in northwestern part of Turkey. <h3>Methods</h3> In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 23 TA patients followed by our clinic within the last 12 years (2003-2014). Clinical features, treatments and responses to various treatment modalities were recorded from medical charts. Our hospital is the single tertiary referral center for rheumatic diseases for a mixed rural and urban population of 620,477 people for &gt;16 years (306,036 males, 314,411 females). <h3>Results</h3> 19 of the 23 patients were females (82.6%) and 4 were males (17.4%). During the study period, the annual incidence rate for TA was 0.34/100,000. The annual incidence of TA in female was 0.56/100,000 and in male 0.11/100,000. In November 2014, the overall prevalence of TA in our region was 3.3/100,000 (95% CI: 1.9-4.8) in individuals &gt;16 years. Females had a higher prevalence (5.8/100,000, 95%CI: 3.1-8.5) than males (0.9/100,000, 95%CI: 0.1-1.9). The most common findings at the time of presentation were blood pressure difference (73%) and headache (60.4%). The most common laboratory findings are elevated CRP (19 patients, 82.6%), elevated ESR (16 patients, 69.6%), anemia (15 patients, 65.2%). One of our TA patients had Crohn9s disease, and 2 of the patients have ankylosing spondylitis. The most common subtype was type 1 (12 patients, 52.2%), followed by type 5 (8 patients, 34.8%), type 3 was seen in 2 (8.7%), and type 2a in 1 patient (4.3%). The frequency of relapse was significantly lower in type 1 when compared to other patients (8.3% vs 54.5% p=0,027). In refractory cases, we used biological therapy (9 patients, 39.1%). Infliximab was used in 7 patients (30.4%) and tocilizumab was used in 2 patients (8.7%). 1 of the tociluzumab patients used to have infliximab. At the follow-up period (median, 15 months), only 1 patient among 9 patients of biological group had relapse. Median follow-up period of all patients was 48 months (range: 10-132). 3 (13%) of the patients among our group had stent to different vascular sites. 1 patient had an operation for aortic aneurysm and aortic valve replacement surgery has been made. 1 patient had renal artery bypass operation.11 patient (47.8%) had recurrency at follow-up period. 2 patients (8.7%) died during the study period. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In northwestern part of Turkey, the annual incidence and prevalence of TA were higher than western population, however similar to Asian data. <h3>References</h3> Toshihiko N. Current status of large and small vessel vasculitis in Japan. Int J Cardiol. 1996 Aug;54 Suppl:S91-8. Keser G, Direskeneli H, Aksu K. Management of Takayasu arteritis: a systematic review. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2014 May;53(5):793-801. Watts R, Al-Taiar A, Mooney J, Scott D, Macgregor A. The epidemiology of Takayasu arteritis in the UK. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Aug;48(8):1008-11. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kep153. Epub 2009 Jun 19. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared