Demographic, Clinical, and Radiologic Characteristics of a Cohort of Patients with Takayasu Arteritis

Abstract

Background: Takayasu arteritis is a rare large-vessel vasculitis that predominantly affects females of Asian descent. This retrospective analysis was performed to increase understanding of the epidemiology of the disease in the United States.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 2 tertiary centers. Patients were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis. Data collected included demographic characteristics and details of physical examinations, treatments, and surgical interventions. Data were managed with REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) tools.

Results: The study included 57 patients. The female:male ratio was 4.2:1, the median age at diagnosis was 29 years, 61.4% of the patients were Caucasians, and 86% of the patients had stenosis on imaging. Hata V was the most common angiographic classification (37.5% of patients). Vascular interventions were required in 43.9% of patients. The most frequent complications were hypertension (56.1%), renal artery stenosis (28.1%), and aortic insufficiency (19.3%).

Conclusions: Takayasu arteritis continues to be a rare large-vessel vasculitis. In the United States, it tends to affect predominantly Caucasian females, with cervicobrachial involvement. This cohort reflects the morbidity, multiple interventions, and complications experienced by patients with Takayasu arteritis.

Keywords: Large-vessel arteritis; Takayasu arteritis; large-vessel vasculitis; vasculitis.