The Applanation Tonometry in GCA Pilot

Launched by CENTRE INTEGRE UNIVERSITAIRE DE SANTE ET SERVICES SOCIAUX DU NORD DE L'ILE DE MONTREAL · Jan 26, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Applanation Tonometry in Giant Cell Arteritis (ATOM-GCA) study is looking into how a specific test, called pulse wave velocity (PWV), can help doctors better understand and diagnose Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). This condition can cause inflammation in the arteries, and the study aims to see if measuring the stiffness of the temporal arteries using a method called applanation tonometry can help identify patients with GCA. Specifically, the trial will compare patients diagnosed with GCA to those without the condition and check how accurately this test can detect inflammation in the arteries.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be adults over 50 years old who have been referred to a doctor for suspected GCA. They should also be willing to provide informed consent. However, individuals who have had a temporal artery biopsy before joining the study or who have taken certain steroids recently are not eligible. Participants will undergo tests during the study, and researchers will also check how comfortable and willing patients are to repeat these tests over time. This study is currently not recruiting participants, but it could help improve how GCA is diagnosed and monitored in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. adult patient aged \> 50 years;
• • 2. referred for suspected, new-onset or relapsing cranial GCA;
• • 3. ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent form.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. they had a temporal artery biopsy prior to the study visit;
• • 2. they used systemic glucocorticoids for ≥ 14 consecutive days in the previous 30 days.