Recommendations of the Italian Society of Rheumatology for the treatment of the primary large-vessel vasculitis with biological agents

CER5212
2012 Vol.30, N°1 ,Suppl.70
PI 0139, PF 0161
Review

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

PMID: 22640657 [PubMed]

Received: 31/10/2011
Accepted : 26/03/2012
In Press: 11/05/2012
Published: 11/05/2012

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To provide recommendations on behalf of the Italian Society for Rheumatology for the off-label use of biologic agents in the treatment of large-vessel vasculitis.
METHODS:
A panel of experts performed a literature search and selected the evidence relevant to the topic. The following five large-vessel vasculitides were considered: giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, primary angiitis of the central nervous system, Cogan`s syndrome, and Adamantiades-Behçet`s disease.
RESULTS:
A consensus was achieved regarding the indication of biologic agents for the treatment of large-vessel vasculitis. Levels of evidence were assigned to the papers retrieved, and the strength of the recommendations was graded according to the levels of evidence.
CONCLUSIONS:
These recommendations may be used for guidance in deciding which patients with large-vessel vasculitis should receive biologic therapy. Further updates of these recommendations may be published on the basis of the results of new clinical studies and of data from post-marketing surveillance.