{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Clinical spectrum and outcome of Takayasu's arteritis in children. {Author}: Hassold N;Dusser P;Laurent A;Lemelle I;Pillet P;Comarmond C;Mekinian A;Lambert M;Mirault T;Benhamou Y;Belot A;Jeziorski E;Reumaux H;Sibilia J;Desdoits A;Espitia O;Faye A;Quartier P;Saadoun D;Koné-Paut I; {Journal}: Joint Bone Spine {Volume}: 91 {Issue}: 5 {Year}: 2024 Apr 15 {Factor}: 5.263 {DOI}: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105735 {Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare clinical spectrum and outcome between adults and children with Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) in a European population.
METHODS: We made a nationwide retrospective observational study between 1988 and 2019. All adult patients met the ACR diagnostic criteria for TAK and all children met the EULAR/PRINTO/PRES criteria for paediatric TAK.
RESULTS: We identified 46 children and 389 adults with TAK. The male to female ratio was 34/46 (0.74) in the paediatric group compared to 241/274 (0.88) in the adult group (P<0.05). Children presented with significantly more systemic symptoms; i.e., fever (P<0.05), fatigue (P<0.001), weight loss (P<0.001), abdominal pain (P<0.05), and myalgia (P<0.05) while adults had more upper limb claudication (P<0.01). Topography of the lesions differed significantly between the two groups: adults had more damage at the cerebral vasculature (P<0.01), upper and lower limbs (P<0.001) while children had more kidney lesions (P<0.05). Children TAK had more frequent (P<0.01) and higher (P<0.001) biological inflammation than adults. Children received higher dose-weight of corticosteroids (P=0.001) and less biotherapy (P<0.010) at diagnosis. Relapses (P<0.05) and death (8.6% vs 4.9%) were more frequent in children TAK than in adults.
CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric TAK seems more severe than adult TAK. Therefore, paediatrics patients may require closer monitoring and systemic use of biological treatment.