Takayasu arteritis: a review
- Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics, Southmead Hospital, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
- Correspondence to: Dr S L Johnston, Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics, Southmead Hospital, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK; sljoh{at}hotmail.com
- Accepted 15 January 2002
Abstract
Takayasu arteritis is a well known yet rare form of large vessel vasculitis. This review details the history, clinical features, differential diagnoses, classification, and immunology of the disorder. Suppression of inflammation and preservation of vascular competence are the aims of treatment. As with any rare disease, randomised controlled treatment trials are either lacking or based on small patient numbers, making management decisions difficult. Current evidence based treatments are presented and discussed.
- ACR, American College of Rheumatology
- CRP, C reactive protein
- ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- HLA, human leucocyte antigen
- IL, interleukin
- MRA, magnetic resonance angiography
