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=29 | 4640 (3834–5173); N=25 | 5016 (3957–6092); N=4 | 0.648 |
*Without intravenous glucocorticoid pulse therapy.
CSD, cumulative steroid dose; GC, glucocorticoid; GCA, giant cell arteritis; n, number; TCZ, tocilizumab.