2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for giant cell arteritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 Dec;81(12):1647-1653. doi: 10.1136/ard-2022-223480. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate updated classification criteria for giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Patients with vasculitis or comparator diseases were recruited into an international cohort. The study proceeded in six phases: (1) identification of candidate items, (2) prospective collection of candidate items present at the time of diagnosis, (3) expert panel review of cases, (4) data-driven reduction of candidate items, (5) derivation of a points-based risk classification score in a development data set and (6) validation in an independent data set.

Results: The development data set consisted of 518 cases of GCA and 536 comparators. The validation data set consisted of 238 cases of GCA and 213 comparators. Age ≥50 years at diagnosis was an absolute requirement for classification. The final criteria items and weights were as follows: positive temporal artery biopsy or temporal artery halo sign on ultrasound (+5); erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥50 mm/hour or C reactive protein ≥10 mg/L (+3); sudden visual loss (+3); morning stiffness in shoulders or neck, jaw or tongue claudication, new temporal headache, scalp tenderness, temporal artery abnormality on vascular examination, bilateral axillary involvement on imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography activity throughout the aorta (+2 each). A patient could be classified as having GCA with a cumulative score of ≥6 points. When these criteria were tested in the validation data set, the model area under the curve was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.94) with a sensitivity of 87.0% (95% CI 82.0% to 91.0%) and specificity of 94.8% (95% CI 91.0% to 97.4%).

Conclusion: The 2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR GCA classification criteria are now validated for use in clinical research.

Keywords: giant cell arteritis; magnetic resonance imaging; systemic vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Giant Cell Arteritis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Giant Cell Arteritis* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rheumatology*
  • Temporal Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Arteries / pathology