Von Willebrand factor in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis

A. C. Uddhammar

Department of Rheumatology, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.

ABSTRACT
Patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) have increased plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) even during corticosteroid therapy. The association between vWF, subclinical inflammation and cardiovascular complications in GCA/PMR remains to be investigated.

Key words
Von Willebrand factor, giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica.

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Agneta C. Uddhammar, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Umeå University Hospital, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden.
E-mail: Agneta.Uddhammar.us@vll.se

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000: 18 (Suppl. 20): S32-S33.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2000.