Takayasu Disease (cont.)
How is Takayasu disease treated?
Takayasu disease is treated by suppressing the inflammation with
cortisone medication. While most patients can improve, some do not or
relapse. In cortisone-resistant patients, stronger medications which
suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs), thereby further
decreasing active inflammation of the arteries, have been used.
Examples include prednisone, prednisolone, methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall),
cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and azathioprine (Imuran).
Strict control of elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is
important.
What is the long-term outlook for patients with Takayasu disease?
The long-term prognosis is not predictable. Some
researchers have found that the prognosis is worse when the retinas of
the eyes are affected, if the aorta is damaged, or when aneurysms
develop. There is also some research that indicates that earlier, aggressive treatment with cortisone and immune-suppression medications may decrease the chances for requiring future surgical procedures for the blood-vessel abnormalities.
The effects of Takayasu arteritis vary greatly from
patient to patient. These effects frequently depend on the impaired
blood supply to body tissues (such as the brain leading to strokes or
spinal cord leading to paralysis).
Last Editorial Review: 11/2/2007
- prednisone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred - Defines the medication prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred) a drug used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interaction, and side effects.
- Sedimentation Rate - Learn more about sedimentation rate, including a description of the test, how it is performed, and normal rate measurements.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - Learn about abdominal aortic aneurysms including how they tend to develop, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, how they are repaired, and what happens if they rupture.
Latest Medical News
Arthritis RSS