News Release

Updated: Takayasu Classification

2022 update published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Peer-Reviewed Publication

European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)

Takayasu arteritis is a type of large‐vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta – the main artery that carries blood away from the heart. This damage can cause complications such as stroke, heart attacks, and pain in the arms and legs from reduced blood flow

Classification criteria are not the same as diagnostic criteria. Diagnostic criteria are typically a set of symptoms and tests that can be used in everyday clinical practice to make a diagnosis of a particular disease. But classification criteria are used to make sure that a homogeneous or consistent population is selected for trials and research. This makes it possible to draw valid interpretations and conclusions from smaller samples of people than would be possible if the research population was very heterogeneous.

The previous classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis were published by the ACR over 30 years ago and were based on information from a very small number of people. In addition, the evidence was all from North America without any patient representation from Europe or Asia, where clinical patterns of disease may be different. In addition, there have been huge advancements in imaging techniques in the intervening period. The updated classification criteria therefore use data from a wider geographical population, and are also intended to reflect modern clinical practice.

EULAR and ACR together gathered an international group of experts in vasculitis. Statisticians and data managers also took part to oversee the overall development of these updated classification criteria for primary vasculitis. The final stage of the process was to validate the new classification criteria for Takayasu arteritis by testing it in a series of cases and comparators. Importantly, this testing showed that the new EULAR/ACR criteria outperformed the original 1990 ACR criteria.

The resulting classification criteria should be used to confirm, for study purposes, that someone has Takayasu arteritis when a diagnosis of medium- or large-vessel vasculitis has already been made. There are two absolute requirements for classification: age of 60 years or less, and evidence of vasculitis on imaging. The new document then lays out two sets of additional clinical and imaging criteria. Each of these ten items gives a score of 1–3. The additional clinical criteria include being female, having angina or chest pain, and having different blood pressures in each arm. The additional imaging criteria include the number of areas that are affected.  If a person has a total score of 5 or more over the ten items, then they can be classed as having Takayasu arteritis.

The new classification criteria reflect modern clinical practice, including current imaging techniques, and with specific age thresholds. They have been endorsed by both EULAR and the ACR and are now ready for use. EULAR hopes they will support important new research in this field and help improve the quality of results.

Source

Grayson PC, Ponte C, Suppiah R For the DCVAS Study Group, et al2022 American College of Rheumatology/EULAR classification criteria for Takayasu arteritisAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2022;81:1654-1660.

About EULAR

EULAR is the European umbrella organisation representing scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). EULAR aims to reduce the burden of RMDs on individuals and society and to improve the treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of RMDs. To this end, EULAR fosters excellence in education and research in the field of rheumatology. It promotes the translation of research advances into daily care and fights for the recognition of the needs of people with RMDs by the EU institutions through advocacy action.

Contact
EULAR Communications, communications@eular.org

 

Notes to Editors

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