Full Papers
Turkish Society for Rheumatology (Turkish Takayasu Arteritis Study Group) recommendations for the diagnosis, follow-up and the treatment of Takayasu's arteritis
F. Alibaz-Öner1, S. Kaymaz-Tahra2, B. Ince3, E.Ç. Bölek4, T. Yüce Inel5, H.E. Öz6, T. Şak7, A. Özdede8, Z. Toker Dinçer9, F. Yıldırım10, G. Kenar11, T. Turten-Kaymaz12, N. Alpay-Kanitez13, C. Bes14, O. Karadağ15, G. Hatemi16, S. Akar17, F. Onen18, E. Seyahi19, K. Aksu20, G. Keser21, A. Gul22, H. Direskeneli23
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. falibaz@gmail.com
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Izmir City Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Dr. Ersin Arslan Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazig, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Kirikkale Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Kirikkale, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul-Cerrahpasa University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Cam ve Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Health Sciences Faculty, Nursing Department, Ankara, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Rheumatology Clinic, Cam ve Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul-Cerrahpasa University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul-Cerrahpasa University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
CER18794
Full Papers
Received: 03/04/2025
Accepted : 12/05/2025
In Press: 20/06/2025
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To develop evidence-based and expert opinion guided recommendations for Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) management.
METHODS:
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following the principles outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. To structure the key clinical questions, the Task Force employed the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) format. The Oxford system was subsequently applied to grade the quality of the collected evidence and determine the strength of each recommendation.
RESULTS:
This guideline provides 40 recommendations under the headings: diagnosis, follow-up, medical treatment, pregnancy and surgical interventions. As randomised controlled trials (RCT) are very limited in number without conclusive results, most data come from case series with low-level evidence. We recommend conventional immunosuppressives (ISs) as the first choice during remission-induction. TNF-inhibitors or tocilizumab can be considered in patients with relapsing or refractory disease despite conventional ISs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The first Turkish Takayasu Arteritis Study Group recommendations deriving from a current literature review and large clinical experience, aim to guide clinicians not only in Turkey, but also in other countries who are providing health care to patients with TAK.
