Biologics expand therapy options for vasculitis

Together with rheumatologists from the Collaborative Arthritis centers, the scientists from the Health Services Research working group in the Epidemiology programme area of the DRFZ have published current data from the German National Database (NDB). Health care trends for vasculitides from the last 15 years show an increasing use of biologics and a decreasing use of glucocorticoids.

Around 7% of patients from the nationwide NDB have vasculitis. Vasculitides are rare diseases characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels. Large vessels, such as the aorta, down to the smallest capillaries can be affected by the inflammation. Children and adults of all ages can suffer from vasculitis. In adults, giant cell arteritis is the most common, which manifests in patients over 50 years of age. Young adults can develop Takayasu arteritis or Behçet’s disease.

For several years, specific and effective biologics have been approved for some vasculitis entities, for example rituximab for certain ANCA-associated vasculitides or tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis. Trends from the NDB show that the proportion of patients being treated with a biologic is increasing. At the same time, the data show a remarkable decline in the use of cortisone. Previously, many vasculitis patients required long-term use of cortisone due to its strong anti-inflammatory effect. The decline in the duration and dosage of cortisone use is a significant treatment success of modern rheumatologic therapy, which helps to reduce side effects and secondary diseases.