Table 2

Therapeutic details of patients with GCA with a relapse within 12 months after diagnosis

All relapses
(n=32)
Minor relapses
(n=28)
Major relapses
(n=4)
P value
Therapy at relapse
 Increment in GC dose, mg/day, median (IQR) *15 (8–26)10 (8–23)40 (30–46)0.026
 Initiation of TCZ, n (%)18 (56)15 (54)3 (75)0.656
Cumulative steroid dose
 CSD at relapse, mg, median (IQR) *2303 (2100–3104)2303 (2100–3136)2284 (2161–2472)0.711
 CSD at 12 months, mg, median (IQR) *4640 (3834–5296); N=294640 (3834–5173); N=255016 (3957–6092); N=40.648
  • *Without intravenous glucocorticoid pulse therapy.

  • CSD, cumulative steroid dose; GC, glucocorticoid; GCA, giant cell arteritis; n, number; TCZ, tocilizumab.