Table 1. Baseline characteristics, outcomes and comparisons between responders and non-responders to the first ACTH stimulation test during glucocorticoid (GC) treatment for giant cell arteritis (GCA).
Characteristics | Total | Responders (n=76) | Non-responders (n=74) | P |
---|---|---|---|---|
Median age at diagnosis of GCA (years) | 74 ± 7 | 74 ± 7.5 | 74 ± 7.2 | 0.7 |
Gender (male/female) | 49/101 | 20/56 | 29/45 | 0.09 |
Median weight at GCA diagnosis (kg) | 62 ± 12 | 61 ± 13 | 63.5 ± 12 | 0.16 |
Treatment | ||||
Starting dosage of GCs (mg/day) | 51 ± 16 | 50 ± 15 | 52 ± 16 | 0.28 |
Initial pulse methylprednisolone (%) | 25 | 31 | 19 | 0.1 |
GC dosage after 3 months (mg/day) | 19 ± 5 | 17.6 ± 4.9 | 20.1 ± 5.6 | 0.003 |
GC dosage after 6 months (mg/day) | 13 ± 4 | 11.9 ± 3.3 | 14.7 ± 4.8 | 0.0003 |
GC dosage after 12 months (mg/day) | 8 ± 4 | 6.63 ± 3.2 | 8.9 ± 4.4 | 0.0007 |
Time from diagnosis to the first ACTH test (months) | 17 ± 8 | 15.7 ± 7 | 18.6 ± 9 | 0.004 |
Total amount of GCs at the first ACTH test (mg) | 7740 ± 3390 | 6800 ± 2729 | 8697 ± 3743 | 0.0007 |
Basal cortisol concentration (nmol/L) | 392 ± 163 | 488 ± 121 | 295 ± 143 | < 0.0001 |
Stimulated cortisol concentration (nmol/L) | 566 ±212 | 728 ± 135 | 397 ± 124 | < 0.0001 |
Initial presentation | ||||
Symptomology (%) | 75 | 80 | 69 | 0.16 |
Fatigue (%) | 67 | 74 | 60 | 0.07 |
Fever (%) | 43 | 42 | 47 | 0.6 |
Associated PMR (%) | 32 | 33 | 31 | 0.8 |
ESR (mm) | 87 ± 27 | 87.7 ± 29.3 | 86.3 ± 25.1 | 0.8 |
CRP (mg/mL) | 97 ± 58 | 96.9 ± 59.4 | 98 ± 56.7 | 0.7 |
Haemoglobin (g/dL) | 11.5 ± 1.8 | 11.4 ± 1.8 | 11.6 ± 1.7 | 0.6 |
Evolution | ||||
Relapse (%) | 50 | 52 | 48 | 0.7 |
Recurrence (%) | 33 | 37 | 28 | 0.4 |
Other GC-induced adverse events (%) | 60 | 63 | 59 | 0.7 |
Diabetes mellitus (%) | 15 | 15 | 16 | 0.8 |
Myopathy (%) | 25 | 24 | 27 | 0.7 |
Bone involvement (%) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 |
Infection (%) | 26 | 26 | 27 | 0.8 |
ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; PMR: polymyalgia rheumatica