Clinical Manifestations and Longterm Outcome for Patients with Takayasu Arteritis in China

Objective. To describe a large cohort of patients with Takayasu arteritis in China. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 566 patients hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital between 2002 and 2013. Data collected were clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, angiographic features, treatment, and longterm outcome. Results. The female to male ratio was 3.8 to 1, and the mean age of onset was 28.9 +/- 12.0 years. The most common inflammatory symptom, initial symptom, and coexisting disease were fever (52, 9.2%), dizziness (214, 37.8%), and hypertension (HTN; 392, 69.3%), respectively. Pulmonary artery, coronary artery involvement, and aortic regurgitation were found in 83 (14.7%), 66 (11.7%), and 181 (36.7%) patients, respectively. Elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed in 131 patients (23.1%). Treatment included drugs, interventional therapy, autologous blood vessel transplant, artificial blood vessel transplant, and aortic valve replacement. During a mean followup of 5.0 +/- 0.2 years, 32 patients died, including 1 patient who died suddenly during coronary angiography. HTN, major complications, and a progressive disease course were significant prognostic markers. Conclusion. HTN, rather than fever, is the leading reason for patients with Takayasu arteritis to see a doctor in China. HTN, major complications, and a progressive disease course are statistically significant predictors of survival. Because of cardiovascular events associated with the disease, early diagnosis and treatment are urgent to improve prognosis.