Body mass index associates with disease relapse in patients with giant cell arteritis

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with disease relapse in giant cell arteritis (GCA). Methods: We reviewed data from 30 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with GCA. The patients were divided according to relapse or non-relapse status, and their baseline characteristics were compared. Results: Among the 30 patients, 8 relapsed at a median of 28 weeks from GCA diagnosis. Patients with relapse were male-dominant (male: 88% vs female: 41%, P = 0.02) and showed a higher body mass index (BMI, 23 kg/m² vs 19 kg/m², P < 0.01) than non-relapse patients. Patients with BMI ≥ 21 kg/m² showed a significantly higher relapse rate than those with BMI < 21 kg/m² during the 100-week follow-up (46% vs 0%, log-rank test, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Higher BMI may be associated with relapse in patients with GCA.