Takayasu Arteritis Flashcards
1
Q
who gets it?
A
mainly before 50
perhaps 100x higher in East Asian countries
young women in 2nd and 3rd decades of life
2
Q
how does it present?
A
early features are non-specific: low-grade fever, malaise, night sweats, weight loss, arthralgia, fatigue
claudicant symptoms in upper & lower limbs
if untreated – vascular stenosis & aneurysm can occur
o reduced pulses
o bruits
3
Q
how is it investigated?
A
CPR, PV/ESR elevated
MR angiography: detect thickened vessel walls and stenosis
4
Q
how is it managed?
A
prednisolone starting at 40-60mg gradually reduced
steroid sparing agents such as methotrexate and azathioprine may be added
