Fewer subsequent relapses and lower levels of IL-17 in Takayasu arteritis developed after the age of 40 years

Background The clinical characteristics of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) developing in individuals older than 40 years (TAK >40) are little-known. Method We retrospectively analyzed 43 patients with TAK treated at three hospitals in Japan from April 2000 to March 2016. From medical records we collected baseline variables at diagnosis including clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and subsequent relapses. We compared these indices in the patients with TAK onset at >40 years of age (TAK >40) to those with TAK onset ≤40 years (TAK ≤40). Multiplex cytokine/chemokine bead assays were performed u... Mehr ...