Israel Medical Association Journal

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis predominantly affecting patients over 50 years, typically managed with glucocorticoids, with treatment varying on individual patient needs. While effective for GCA, long-term glucocorticoids use poses significant risks, including the development of osteoporosis, a metabolic bone disease common in older individuals. This overlap poses a significant clinical challenge, as the treatment for GCA inadvertently raises the risk of osteoporosis and necessitates careful balance to manage both conditions effectively.

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of osteoporosis and other co-morbid conditions in patients with GCA treated with glucocorticoids.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of GCA patients examined the correlation between GCA and osteoporosis by searching the Clalit Health Service database for patients over 50 years of age from January 2002 to January 2018. In addition, we conducted a logistic regression analysis stratifying for other co-morbidities to evaluate the independent association between GCA and osteoporosis.

Results: In total, 6607 GCA patients were compared with 36,066 age- and sex-matched controls. The study revealed a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the GCA group (43%) compared to controls (27%) (odds ratio [OR] 2.06, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.95–2.17). In addition, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease were more prevalent among GCA patients. After stratifying for cardiovascular co-morbidities, GCA remained independently associated with osteoporosis (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.96–2.26, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Glucocorticoid-treated GCA is independently associated with osteoporosis. Healthcare providers must consider this added aspect of GCA for the treatment and management of patients.

Background: Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are inflammatory mediated myopathies characterized by progressive symmetric proximal muscle weakness and associated with extra-muscular involvement. Central nervous system complications are rarely reported with these diseases.

Objectives: To investigate the association between dementia and PM/DM.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a database from Clalit Health Care, the largest health maintenance organization in Israel. Patients with a first recorded diagnosis of PM/DM were included and were compared with age- and sex-matched controls by a ratio of 1:5. The prevalence of dementia among PM/DM patients compared to controls was assessed using a univariate and a multivariable model. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association of different factors with dementia within the PM/DM cohort.

Results: The study included 2085 PM/DM cases (17.0%) and 10,193 age- and sex-matched controls (83.0%). During the follow-up time, 36 PM/DM patients were diagnosed with dementia compared to 160 controls, with a univariate hazard ratio (HR) of 1.10 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.77–1.58). Within the PM/DM cohort, significant predictors for the development of dementia included increased age at diagnosis (5 years increment; OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.57–2.21, P < 0.001) and treatment with glucocorticoids (OR 5.40, 95%CI 1.67–17.67, P = 0.005).

Conclusions: In our cohort, inflammatory myopathies were not associated with dementia. Age and treatment with glucocorticoids were associated with dementia. If dementia is diagnosed in patients with inflammatory myopathies, other systemic causes should be investigated.