FRI0333 Leflunomide as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: a consecutive case series

Background Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) affecting individuals older than 50 years and corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Azathioprine and methotrexate have shown little or moderate efficacy as corticosteroid-sparing agents [1]. Objectives Our aim was to examine the role of leflunomide as a corticosteroid-sparing agent in difficult -to-treat GCA and PMR patients. Methods Patients with difficult-to-treat GCA and PMR were retrospectively identified in our vasculitis clinic between 2010 and 2013. The dose of corticosteroids and CRP values were recorded before and at the end of the treatment (for patients continuing treatment, censoring date was 1 January 2013). Side-effects were also registered. Student’s t-test was used to compare the means. Statistical significance was defined as p