Systemic Vasculitis – ABC CARDIOL

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Original Article

Prognostic Value of the Hata Angiographic Classification for Long-Term Outcomes in Takayasu Arteritis: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study

Anisio Uchoa Leite Santana et al. Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo

Abstract

Background

The prognostic utility of the Hata angiographic classification for long-term outcomes in Takayasu arteritis (TAK) remains unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic value of the Hata classification for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the need for vascular interventions in patients with TAK.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with TAK between 2000 and 2025. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05.

Results

Of 203 patients initially identified, 18 were excluded. The final cohort included 185 patients, of whom 80.0% were women, with a median age at diagnosis of 29 years. Type V was the predominant angiographic pattern (64.9%). During a median follow-up of 10.8 years, MACE occurred in 35.7% of patients, while 37.3% required vascular intervention. The Hata classification was not associated with MACE occurrence. Independent predictors of MACE included female sex, which was protective (odds ratio [OR], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.86; p = 0.021), and longer symptom onset-to-diagnosis time, which increased risk (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.18; p = 0.006). In contrast, the Hata classification independently predicted the need for vascular intervention. Hata Type I showed a strong protective association compared with Type V (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.53; p = 0.029). Baseline aortic insufficiency was also independently associated with a higher likelihood of intervention (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.18-5.60; p = 0.018) ().

Conclusions

The Hata classification appears to be a robust predictor of vascular intervention but not MACE in TAK. Greater anatomical disease extension (Type V) and baseline aortic insufficiency were associated with increased procedural risk, whereas MACE risk was associated with diagnostic delay and male sex. The observed long-term dissociation between high rates of clinical remission (92.4%) and continued disease progression underscores the importance of imaging-based surveillance and highlights the need for prospective multicenter studies to validate these findings.

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Original Article

Factors Associated With the High Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis

Marina Lamas Figueredo et al. Matheus Alves Amaral de Lima Alexandre Moura dos Santos Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo

Abstract

Background:

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains incompletely characterized in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS in patients with AAV and to identify factors associated with its presence.

Methods:

This single-center, cross-sectional study included 62 patients with AAV (42 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 15 with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and five with microscopic polyangiitis) who were under regular follow-up at a tertiary referral hospital. Patients were matched by age and sex with 53 controls. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results:

The median age of the patients was 56.1 years (interquartile range, 45.6-65.5); 53.2% were women, and 85.5% were White. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in the AAV group than in controls (43.5% vs 13.2%; p = 0.001). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a family history of cardiovascular disease were more frequent among patients with AAV, whereas body mass index (BMI) and physical inactivity did not differ between groups. In multivariable analysis, MetS (odds ratio [OR], 4.52; 95%CI, 1.66-12.27; p = 0.003) and a family history of cardiovascular disease (OR, 3.81; 95%CI, 1.09-13.34; p < 0.05) were independently associated with AAV. Among patients with AAV, no differences were observed between those with and without MetS in terms of subtype of AAV, anthropometric measures, disease activity, family history, physical inactivity, or current treatment. In a multivariable analysis restricted to patients with AAV, MetS was independently associated with male sex (OR, 11.43; 95%CI, 2.81-46.52; p = 0.001) and higher BMI (OR, 1.13; 95%CI, 1.02-1.25; p = 0.022).

Conclusions:

MetS was highly prevalent among patients with AAV and was associated with male sex and higher BMI, contributing to an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile in this single-center cohort.

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Original Article

Exploring the Correlations between Initial Clinical and Radiological Manifestations in Takayasu’s Arteritis

Anísio Uchoa Leite Santana et al. Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo

Abstract

Background

Initial clinical and imaging associations in Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) are poorly defined.

Objectives

To characterize initial manifestations, their associations, and long-term outcomes in a TAK cohort.

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort study (2000 to 2024) included patients diagnosed with TAK. The significance level was set at p<0.05.

Results

Among 203 patients identified, 54 were excluded due to incomplete data. The final cohort comprised 149 patients (89.9% female), with a median age at diagnosis of 31 years. At diagnosis, 92.6% were symptomatic. Claudication of upper (36.2%) and lower (30.9%) limbs was frequent, alongside advanced vascular damage like stenosis (85.9%) and occlusions (52.3%). Upper limb claudication was independently predicted by reduced upper limb pulses (OR=4.83; 95%CI=2.08-11.24; p=0.001) and right subclavian artery occlusion (OR=8.06; 95%CI=1.94-33.44; p=0.004). Lower limb claudication was predicted by right subclavian artery occlusion (OR=6.65; 95%CI=2.05-21.61; p=0.002), right subclavian artery thickening (OR=5.12; 95%CI=1.18-22.71; p=0.029), and left subclavian artery stenosis (OR=2.71; 95%CI=1.21-60.56; p=0.016). Over a median 10-year follow-up, despite 91.3% remission, cardiovascular comorbidities increased, and 26.8% required surgery.

Conclusions

Limb claudication is a key prognostic indicator of advanced radiological damage and diagnostic delay. This is reinforced by a long-term dissociation between high clinical remission and progressive vascular disease, demanding vigilant monitoring.

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Original Article

Characteristics of Older Patients with Takayasu’s Arteritis: A Two-Center, Cross-Sectional, Retrospective Cohort Study

João Calvino Soares de Oliveira et al. Alexandre Moura dos Santos Mariana Freitas de Aguiar Jucier Gonçalves Junior … Alexandre Wagner Silva de Souza Rosa Maria R. Pereira Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo

Abstract

Background

Few studies have assessed elderly patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK).

Objectives

To evaluate the progression of TAK in different age groups and its possible effects on drug treatment and disease activity.

Methods

This cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study included 66 TAK patients. Patients were interviewed and data of the 12 preceding months were collected from electronic medical records. The patients were divided into four quartiles according to current age and compared for clinical and laboratory data, treatment, comorbidities, disease status, and functional status. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results

The groups were Q1(22-36 years, n=16), Q2(37-42 years, n=18), Q3(43-49 years, n=17), and Q4(51-66 years, n=15). The frequency of patients with disease activity, fatigue, comorbidities and vascular impairments, and the TAK disease extent index were also comparable between the groups. With age, disease duration was longer (p=0.001), fewer patients used prednisone (Q1:43.8%, Q2:33.3%, Q3:11.8%, and Q4:6.7%; p=0.049) and immunosuppressive drugs [Q1:100.0%, Q2:66.7%, Q3:58.8%, and Q4:46.7%; Q1 versus Q3 (p=0.043), and Q1 versus Q4 (p=0.005) in post-hoc analyses], and patients had greater functional status impairment (Q2 versus Q3, p=0.003). In addition, the levels of disease damage, new TAK symptoms, and complications in the preceding 12 months were not different between the groups.

Conclusions

Older patients with TAK require minimal drug treatment, and have greater impairment of functional status, which may be attributed to aging-related factors.

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