Body mass index associates with disease relapse in patients with giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with disease relapse in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

METHODS

We reviewed data from 30 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with GCA. The patients were divided according to relapse or non-relapse status, and their baseline characteristics were compared.

RESULTS

Among the 30 patients, 8 relapsed at a median of 28 weeks from GCA diagnosis. Patients with relapse were male-dominant (male: 88% vs female: 41%, P = 0.02) and showed a higher body mass index (BMI, 23 kg/m2 vs 19 kg/m2 , P < 0.01) than non-relapse patients. Patients with BMI ≥ 21 kg/m2 showed a significantly higher relapse rate than those with BMI < 21 kg/m2 during the 100-week follow-up (46% vs 0%, log-rank test, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Higher BMI may be associated with relapse in patients with GCA.